And we need more participation by women
Grant Robertson
I have launched a new study by Sport NZ which explores the value of sport to New Zealanders, their communities and our country.
There is no question that sport is at the heart of our national identity, but what this study tells us is that being physically active also creates happier, healthier people, and better- connected communities.
‘The Value of Sport’ surveyed around 2000 New Zealanders and reviewed previous studies from here and around the world.
Building confidence
This study shows that Kiwis believe sport and physical activity bring people together and create a sense of belonging.
Other key findings from the Value of Sport include (a) 88% of people believe that sport and other physical activities provide them with opportunities to achieve and help build confidence (b) Three-quarters of Kiwis say sport and physical activity help build vibrant and stimulating communities and (c) The sport and active recreation sector employs more than 53,000 New Zealanders.
Community support
The report was launched on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Wellington’s ASB Centre as part of a visit to local club netball trials and a secondary school volleyball tournament.
It is fantastic to see athletes of all ages and skill levels, and the volunteers and whanau who support them, coming together under one roof.
It just goes to show the power of sport to bring people together and create a sense of belonging.
Grant Robertson is Sport and Recreation Minister of New Zealand
Following is a Report by Radio New Zealand, published by Indian Newslink under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
We need more women in Sports
Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson said that he is committed to getting more women into sport.
Mr Robertson released a study on March 18, 2018 by Sport New Zealand, which highlights the importance of sport to New Zealanders, and how it benefits individuals and communities.
The report canvassed 1500 people including many in the sport and recreation sector.
It found almost three quarters of adults participated in sport over the past week, compared to nine out of 10 young people.
Just one in five adults belonged to a sports club and 9% had gym memberships.
The report also found that 51% of young people were part of a school sports team.
Issue on priority
However, the report said that 60% of boys were participating in club sport, compared to 49% of girls.
Mr Robertson said that he had made it his priority as Minister of Sport to see a greater role for women and girls in sport.
“It is also the role modelling question, we want role models to be celebrated. I’m really excited with some of the developments in women’s sport that we are starting to see across the codes, but there’s a whole lot more to do,” he said.
Grassroots changes
Mr Robertson said that he wanted to see changes at a grassroots level.
“It is actually about the priorities that we put on that – encouraging and supporting clubs, for instance, to have development officers who focus on women. And I know a number of the codes around New Zealand are now doing that – their development officers are not just males but they’re also females,” he said.
Former Silver Ferns’ Coach, and Head Coach at Wellington Netball Club PIC Wai Taumaunu attended the launch and said that her Club provided positive role models to younger women.
“I was fortunate enough that having started sport quite young, I was then exposed to a wide range of wonderful female role models in positions of authority,” she said.
Ms Taumaunu said that she strongly believed that her netball club made a positive impact on her community.
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Images and Infographics from ‘The Value of Sports Survey.’
