Young People

Our rangatahi (young people) are the heart of our community. Their energy, creativity, and passion drive the future of our region.

Keeping our young people active and healthy is not just a priority — it’s essential. By fostering a love for movement, we help build strong, resilient, and vibrant communities. Join us in supporting our rangatahi to lead active, healthy lives and shape a brighter tomorrow for everyone.

Why physical activity is important

  • Strengthens muscles and bones
  • Improves sleep and mood
  • Aids weight management
  • Improves brain function and skin
  • Better sleep
  • Opportunities to meet new people

Keeping it fun, making it social and including movement that interests you are just some of the ways to increase your physical activity and enjoy the health benefits.

Women and Girls Network Newsletter

In this update:

  • Rachel Gwerder from Tauranga City Basketball Association shares how TCBA support their female coaches to thrive.
  • We hear about BOP District Rugby League’s delivery of Kia Puea Ake, a programme for kotiro to build confidence, learn about their bodies, build friendships and develop skills to thrive in rugby league.
  • In May we have Dr Julia Casadio, High Performance Sport physiologist and applied researcher coming to the BOP to deliver a CoachForce workshop and a parent athlete evening for athletes and parents.

Read more

Youth Voice

We conducted the Voice of Rangatahi survey in 2023 to gain insights into physical activity patterns of Bay of Plenty rangatahi (ages 12-17). We wanted to understand how rangatahi participated in and out of school.

Why? Because regional and national data shows time spent being active typically peaks at age 12 before dramatically declining. Click on the image below to read what we found:

It's My Move

A movement for young women to be more active their way. Enjoy free workouts and inspiration from female rangatahi across the country.

Learn More - Sport New Zealand

Balance is Better

“Balance is Better” is a research-backed approach aimed at fostering enriching sports experiences for young people, irrespective of their skill level, requirements, and aspirations. It emphasises lifelong engagement in sports and the timely realisation of each individual’s potential.

The “Balance is Better” philosophy, has been crafted by the sports system in New Zealand, which includes sports bodies, leaders, administrators, educational institutions, clubs, coaches, parents, and volunteers. It is designed to facilitate the necessary cultural shift to offer high-quality sports opportunities for children aged 5-11 (tamariki) and teenagers aged 12-18 (rangatahi). Currently, Sport NZ is concentrating on rangatahi due to the observed decrease in sports participation among teenagers.

Visit the Balance is Better website

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