Meet Ryan Parkes, one of our Community Sport Advisors

As the Community Sport Advisor for Central and Eastern Bay of Plenty, Ryan Parkes is deeply invested in helping local sports clubs and communities grow, thrive, and become more sustainable. His role at Sport Bay of Plenty is twofold—supporting clubs in their operations and collaborating with local councils to advocate for community sport outcomes.

Having grown up playing rugby for Ngongotahā, Ryan has witnessed firsthand the power of sport in bringing people together and transforming lives. His passion is evident in his work, as he strives to create a more collaborative sporting landscape in the Bay of Plenty. “We need more clubs and codes working with each other, not against each other,” he notes. By promoting partnerships and shared goals, he envisions a system where community sport is not only sustained but also continuously growing.

One of Ryan’s focus areas is building club capability.

“The overall goal is to ensure that we have a sustainable network of clubs who are delivering high quality sporting experiences to their communities” he explains.

“Aspirationally, we want clubs to grow and thrive.”

He achieves this by providing strategic planning, governance education and funding support, as well as providing resources that strengthen club operations.

Another focus area is his work with local councils across Central and Eastern Bay of Plenty. This involves working alongside council staff and the community to inform decision-making processes, plans and policies that reflect the current and future needs for play, recreation and sport.

For Ryan, sport is more than just a way to stay physically active—it is the backbone of strong communities. “Community sport is the rope that binds communities together,” he says.

“Sport isn’t just about fitness and well-being. It fosters a sense of pride, unity, and equality across different demographics. It teaches values like teamwork, respect, and integrity—values that don’t just make better sporting experiences but can improve the holistic wellbeing of people and communities.”

Ryan can be contacted here.

Ryan Parkes

Community Sport Advisor (Central & Eastern Bay)

027 360 0774