Parents
Get your children moving!
If you’re looking for support to get your children moving, we have you covered. It’s important because creating quality and positive physical activity experiences now will increase their chances of staying active later in life.
Here you’ll learn about the work we are doing in the community and where you can learn more through websites, resources and workshops.
Let’s do it for our tamariki and rangatahi.
Let's play
Play is so beneficial for our children. They get to have fun, build their imagination and practise life skills.
As parents, we know play is great. We experienced it ourselves. It helped build our resilience, kept us active, often amongst nature. We practised making decisions and made friends along the way. But as parents, life is busy, the juggle is real, and play can often be side-lined as we try to do all the things.
At Sport Bay of Plenty, we champion play and promote its benefits. Our Regional Play System Lead works across the Bay of Plenty to grow play opportunities. This includes supporting schools to be community play spaces and helping our tamariki to have safe and enjoyable routes to school. If you would like to increase your knowledge of play, we have resources and are here to help.
Learn more: Play, Resources - Parents
Keeping young women active
Let’s support our daughters to be active their way. The needs of young women are unique when it comes to sport and recreation. Research shows that they gradually participate less and drop-out of structured activity.
Teenage girls flourish in sport when they feel confident, supported, and understood. The Coaching Teen Girls Booklet can help parents better understand the changes their daughters experience during adolescence and how these changes can affect their participation and performance in sport.
Puberty can impact energy levels, coordination, and self-esteem, which may influence how girls feel about being active. You don’t need to be an expert to support your daughter. Just having awareness of what she’s going through can make a big difference. This guide was developed for coaches but provides a lot of helpful information for parents too!
You can also speak with our Women and Girls Lead who is here to support our community in this space.
Learn more: The Coaching Teen Girls Booklet, Sport Development and Coaching Team, Sport New Zealand – Parents
Good Sports
Good Sports® Promo Launch from Aktive on Vimeo.
Good Sports® is an individual behaviour change initiative aiming to create positive sporting experiences for tamariki and rangatahi by engaging and supporting you, the parents and whānau.
Sport Bay of Plenty, clubs and regional sporting organisations want to put an end to the behaviours that spoil sport for young people.
Learn more: Good Sports - Sport New Zealand
Working with our schools
This initiative is based on evidence showing children's nutrition and physical activity are linked to both academic achievement and improved physical and mental health.
To help our tamariki, our Healthy Active Learning team are working with up to 80 local schools. Our job is to enhance the provision of play, sport and physical education, and to create better connections with physical activity providers.
Learn more: Healthy Active Learning, Education Team
Early childhood
Did you know, a baby’s brain is only 15% developed at birth but 85% developed at age 3. Movement provides vital pathways in our young child’s brain; the richer the experiences, the more intricate patterns for learning, thought and creativity will be established. Positive active experiences impact on how children move and think for the rest of their lives. The more pathways established; the more efficiently the brain can function.
Physical activity experiences in the first five years encourage children to get the basics right before focusing on one particular skill, sport or activity. They begin to develop fundamental skills which are the foundation for more specialised skills used to play complex games, sport, dance and other physical recreation.
See our resources for ideas for fun activities at home.
Learn more: Resources - Parents
Strength and balance classes for our parents
Something a little different, but as parents the wellbeing of our own parents is also important to us.
'Live Stronger for Longer' is a countrywide falls prevention programme. It involves strength and balance exercise classes for older people 65+ years. Classes are provided through local community groups for a low cost. They help older people improve their strength, balance, and well-being to reduce the risk of falls and fractures.
With an ageing population and the value of preventative medicine gaining increasing recognition, this initiative is key to ensuring our older population maintain their independence and experience a great quality of life. Would someone you know benefit from a strength and balance class? Our Keep on your Feet team oversee the initiative in the Western and Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Learn more: Seniors, Community Programmes Team
Parent Resource Hub
Welcome, this space is designed to help you confidently support your child’s sporting journey with practical guidance on their development, communication, wellbeing, resilience, and positive sideline behaviour.
Why young people play sport?
It’s easy to forget why kids play sport but their reasons often differ from adult expectations. The Are We Forgetting Why Young People Play Sport? article from Balance is Better reminds parents to focus on fun, friendship, and personal growth over competition and results. Explore the guide to reconnect with what matters most to kids in sport—and how you can support their love of the game (4min).
Understanding your child's why
Understanding why your child plays sport is key to supporting their enjoyment and long-term involvement. The Time to Talk About Your Child’s Why article from Balance is Better encourages parents to have open conversations about what motivates their child—whether it’s fun, friendship, challenge, or learning. Discover how aligning your support with their reasons can help them thrive in sport and stay engaged for life (4min).
Supporting your child’s love of sport
Every child deserves to feel valued in sport, regardless of their skill level. The Supporting Your Child’s Love of Sport guide from Balance is Better encourages parents to focus on enjoyment, effort, and personal growth over performance. Explore the article to learn how you can help your child build confidence, stay active, and develop a lifelong love of sport (2min).
Mastering the art of sports parenting
Supporting your child in sport isn’t just about showing up, it’s about understanding how to help them grow, enjoy the game, and stay motivated. The Mastering the Art of Sports Parenting webinar from Balance is Better offers valuable insights for parents on how to positively influence their child’s sporting experience. Watch the replay to learn practical tips and hear from experts on what really matters in youth sport (57min).
Coaching your own child
Coaching your own child in sport can be one of the most rewarding, and challenging, roles a parent can take on. While your involvement can strengthen your bond and support your child’s development, it also requires a thoughtful balance between being a parent and a coach. The Coaching Your Own Child – 5 Tips for the Parent-Coach guide from Balance is Better offers simple, practical advice to help you support your child in sport while keeping family life positive. Check it out to learn how to balance your roles and help your child enjoy their sporting journey (9min).
Setting our kids up for success
Every parent wants their child to succeed in sport but success isn’t just about winning. It’s about helping kids enjoy the game, grow their confidence, and stay in sport for life. The Setting Our Kids Up for Success webinar from Balance is Better explores what it means to be a Good Sports parent and how you can positively shape your child’s sporting journey. Watch the replay to learn simple ways to support your child’s development, both on and off the field (64min).
Helping children build mental resilience through sport
Sport can be a powerful way to build mental resilience in young people. The Helping Children Build Mental Resilience Through Sport guide from Balance is Better shares practical ways parents can support their child’s wellbeing, motivation, and confidence, especially during tough times. Explore the article to learn how sport can help kids develop coping skills, stay connected, and grow stronger mentally (33min).
Mental Health – motivating and supporting, building resilience
How to talk about winning and losing
Winning and losing are part of sport but how we talk about them with our kids can shape their mindset for life. The How to Talk About: Winning and Losing guide from Parenting Place offers helpful tips for turning tough moments into learning opportunities. Explore the article to learn how to support your child’s emotional wellbeing, build resilience, and keep sport fun—win or lose (5min).
Parent guide to child growth and development in sport
Children grow and develop at different rates and understanding these changes can help parents support their child’s sporting journey. The Parent Guide to Child Growth and Development in Sport from Balance is Better explains key physical development stages and how they affect coordination, strength, and performance. Explore the guide to learn how to match sport expectations with your child’s age and stage, and keep their experience positive and age-appropriate (8min).
Sports as a tool for social development
Sport plays a powerful role in shaping young people’s social skills. The Sports as a Tool for Social Development study from the European Journal of Educational and Development Psychology highlights how teamwork, competition, and shared experiences help children build communication, empathy, and resilience. Download the study to explore how sport can support your child’s social growth both on and off the field.
Warm-up guides
A well-designed warm-up is essential for young athletes to perform at their best and reduce the risk of injury. Whether your child plays netball, rugby, or football, each sport has tailored warm-up guides to help them prepare physically and mentally. The Netball Smart Warm-Up Guide, NZ Rugby Toolbox, and NZ Football Performance & Prevention resources offer practical, age-appropriate routines that build strength, coordination, and game readiness. Explore these tools to support your child’s development and keep sport safe and enjoyable.
Netball Smart Warm up guide NZ Rugby Warm up guide NZ Football Warm up guide
Nutrition for female athletes
Female athletes have unique nutritional needs, especially during adolescence and key stages of physical development. The Female Performance and Health Initiative – Nutrition for Female Athletes module provides evidence-based guidance for parents, coaches, and support staff to help young women fuel effectively for sport and health. Learn how energy availability, menstrual health, and nutrient timing impact performance and wellbeing. As well as how to support female athletes with practical, age-appropriate nutrition strategies.
Nutrition 101 for athletes
Nutrition for Adolescents. Good nutrition is key to helping young athletes perform, recover, and grow. The Nutrition 101 for Adolescent Athletes guide from Balance is Better gives parents and coaches practical tips on what growing bodies need—on and off the field. Learn how to support your child’s energy, focus, and wellbeing through smart food choices that fuel their sport and their development (6min).
Sport New Zealand Nutritional Guidelines
Nutrition is a key part of supporting athletes at every age and stage. The Sport New Zealand Nutritional Guidelines provide practical advice for children, teens, and adults to fuel their bodies for health, training, and competition. Learn how balanced meals, hydration, and smart food choices can improve energy, recovery, and overall wellbeing—whether your child is just starting out or training regularly (20+min).
Guide for monitoring training and competition load
Managing training and competition load is key to keeping young athletes healthy and performing well. The Guide for Monitoring Training and Competition Load from Balance is Better helps parents and coaches understand how to balance effort, recovery, and development. Learn how to spot signs of overtraining, support long-term wellbeing, and create a sport schedule that works for your child (3min).
The case for delaying the iding of talent
Identifying talent too early can limit opportunities and put unnecessary pressure on young athletes. The Case for Delaying the IDing of Talent from Balance is Better encourages parents and coaches to focus on development over selection. Learn why giving kids time to grow, explore, and enjoy sport leads to better long-term outcomes and how you can support a more inclusive and positive sporting environment (3min).
Risks of early specialisation in youth sports
Specialising in one sport too early can increase the risk of burnout, injury, and missed development opportunities. The Risks of Early Specialisation in Youth Sports article from Balance is Better encourages parents to support variety and play in sport during childhood. Learn why delaying specialisation helps kids build broader skills, stay motivated, and enjoy sport for longer (6min).
Getting young people through sports trials
Sport trials can be exciting, and nerve-wracking, for young athletes. The Getting Young People Through Sports Trials guide from Balance is Better offers practical advice to help parents support their child through the process. Learn how to manage expectations, reduce pressure, and focus on effort and enjoyment, so your child can approach trials with confidence and a positive mindset (1min).
Partnerships between parents and coaches
Positive sport experiences rely on strong partnerships between parents and coaches. The In Courage Playbook for Parents and Coaches provides practical tools to help adults work together to support young athletes. It highlights the importance of clear communication, shared values, and putting the child’s needs first.
Golden rules for sideline supporters
What happens on the sidelines can shape how kids feel about sport. The 5 Golden Rules for Sideline Supporters from Balance is Better offers simple, powerful reminders for parents to help create a positive sporting environment. Learn how to encourage effort, respect officials, and keep the focus on fun—so your child stays confident, motivated, and keen to keep playing (1min).
