Active As program looking to unleash Bay of Plenty potential

Sport Bay of Plenty is supporting secondary schools and wharekura to provide positive and inclusive physical activity initiatives for students via Sport New Zealand’s Active As programme.

The main goal of Active As is to improve the wellbeing and learning of young people by encouraging increased physical activity. Sport NZ has invested $14.2 million into 50 secondary schools and wharekura allowing the relevant lead agencies the opportunity to help them create and implement their own Active As initiatives through until December 2026.

As the regional sports trust for the Bay of Plenty, Sport Bay of Plenty is acting as the lead agency in implementing Active As for a quartet of schools in our rohe - Murupara Area School, Ōpōtiki College, Rotorua Girls' High School and Western Heights High School.

Active As focuses on the voices of rangatahi and is based on the Mana Taiohi framework, which emphasises the importance of respecting and enhancing the mana that young people bring.

The initiative acknowledges that physical activity, including sport, is not always easy for all students to access. Active As is therefore a new initiative to support secondary schools to work with students to get active in ways they want to.

The program aims to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of rangatahi through active participation, encouraging more physical activity, especially among those who are less active. It also emphasises the critical link between physical activity and educational success, showcasing how being active can positively impact learning outcomes.

"Research shows that physically active rangatahi achieve better academically while also benefitting physically, mentally, and socially,” says Rangatahi Strategic Director of School Sport & Recreation, Luke Frame, who is leading the project for Sport Bay of Plenty.

“To truly make Active As resonate, it’s essential to place the rangatahi voice at its heart, ensuring that rangatahi can engage in physical activity in ways that feel authentic and meaningful to them. By customising each initiative, we can best support not only ākonga and kaiako, drawing on the existing strengths and expertise within a school or wharekura.”

Key areas to enhance participation and foster an inclusive environment include removing barriers to involvement, increasing human resources dedicated to active recreation and sport, improving spaces and facilities, collaborating with external providers, and integrating physical activity into local curriculum.

“Currently, just 47 per cent of students take part in school sports, a number that hasn't changed in the past decade," Luke explains.

“Participation drops dramatically during these years, yet the appetite is clearly there, with two-thirds of rangatahi wishing they could be more active than they currently are.

“Through the Active As program, we are committed to nurturing that desire for physical activity by fostering an environment where all rangatahi can thrive, feel valued, and enjoy the benefits of being active."

Find out more about Active As and the Bay of Plenty schools and wharekura involved