A message from our board chair
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A message from the board chair - Annual Report 2021-22
Tēnā koutou katoa
A number of key moments and achievements come to mind as I reflect on the 2021-22 financial year. The most significant has been the completion and implementation of our Strategic Plan 2022-26.
Research and insights have painted a compelling picture about decreasing physical activity levels in Aotearoa across the last 15 years. In particular, some populations - such as women and girls, rangatahi and people living in some high deprivation communities - have fallen behind in terms of opportunities and participation.
As our strategic direction solidified, so too did our goals to support opportunities for the less active to be more active, and to foster a highly collaborative, capable and functioning physical activity system across the Bay of Plenty.
The 2021-22 financial year saw us take some important steps towards achieving those goals. Sport Bay of Plenty now has a Women and Girls Lead who is working across the sport and recreation sector to give voice to the wants and needs of wāhine. A Rangatahi Māori Lead is bringing a valuable te ao Māori perspective to our work while our Voice of Rangatahi surveys and insights are helping us advocate for positive changes in the physical activity system that will address the teenage drop-off in physical activity rates.
Alongside this, the expansion of the Healthy Active Learning initiative beyond Central Bay of Plenty and into the Western and Eastern regions is supporting important system changes, ensuring all tamariki have access to quality physical activity options. The impact of this joint initiative between Sport Bay of Plenty, Sport New Zealand and the Ministries of Health and Education shows the power of a collaborative approach to improve and sustain physical activity and wellbeing.
Collaboration has also been key when working with territorial authorities to support planning for regional sport and recreation spaces and places (facilities) under the guidance of a Spaces and Places strategy and framework. We have also worked closely with Sport New Zealand to gather insights into the barriers and enablers of play in local communities then shared those learnings with the likes of Rotorua Lakes Council to develop a collaborative approach that supports opportunities for tamariki in their neighbourhoods.
None of this mahi is possible without a great team to move our strategy forward and continually strive in our vision to contribute to the enhanced wellbeing of the Bay of Plenty. The comprehensive planning and cooperation around this shared vision has enabled us to approach this new strategic era with passion and purpose.
I’d like to thank the Sport Bay of Plenty team, ably led by Heidi, for their work in a challenging period, and their continued passion to engage with the community. Thank you also to my fellow Trustees for their invaluable input and guidance into our organisation’s direction. Your expertise and dedication is greatly appreciated.
The Board looks forward to what lies ahead and the exciting ways in which our Strategic Plan continues to come alive and support a more active Bay of Plenty.
Noho ora mai,
Tom Elvin – Chair, Sport Bay of Plenty
