An annual T Ball event in Avondale’s Eastdale Reserve may appear to be a traditional children’s sporting competition, but under the surface, it is working to turn the tide on girl’s participation in sport.

This year’s event drew over 230 years 3-6 students across 23 teams, with participating schools committing to ensuring at least four girls being placed on each team. Sport Waitākere Whau Cluster Sports Coordinator, Amber Craig, continues.

“We know that involving young people in sport from an early age helps to establish healthy habits which last a lifetime. With the rate of girls participating in sport on the decline, amending the event’s guidelines was a simple yet effective way to ensure participation and encourage schools to actively seek female participants.”

Feedback on the day was resoundingly positive, with both students and teachers enjoying the new format and confirming next year’s involvement in the competition. Rosebank School’s Sports Lead, Rebecca Harris, explains.

“Manawa piharau Determined to the end - A whakataukī that represents how I felt everyone played on the day, especially our girls!”

Applications are now open for Sport NZ’s new fund - Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund – for community-based programmes and projects targeting children and young people who are most likely to miss out and who are less active.

Sport Waitākere CEO, Lynette Adams says Sport Waitākere is thrilled to be managing the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund in West Auckland, with over $1,000,000 available to programmes and projects. Lynette explains.

“The Tū Manawa Fund is designed to level the playing field, ensuring all children and young people have access to play, sport and active recreation in West Auckland. Through extensive research in this area, we understand that investing in physical activity for children and young people works to strengthen and protect communities, now and for future generations.”

For more information on the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund visit here.

Article added: Monday 10 May 2021