Our Role

Sport Canterbury has a vision of getting more people, more active, more often and believes positive sport experiences that meet the needs of both tamariki and rangatahi significantly contribute to this.

To support and promote positive youth sport experiences, we work with regional sport and education organisations to increase their understanding of and capability to deliver quality sport participation opportunities. These align with the national Balance is Better philosophy and are informed by Aktive’s Good Sports initiative, the Mana Taiohi principles and our own Let’s Keep it Positive campaign.

This largely involves work behind the scenes with influential sports leaders and includes community education initiatives.

LET'S KEEP IT POSITIVE

Let’s Keep It Positive is a regional community education initiative promoting the importance of positive sideline and supporter behaviour.

Aimed at parents, caregivers and coaches, this initiative encourages the development of safe, enjoyable and positive sports environments youth participants and officials will want to be part of now and in the future.

As a regional campaign, it enables sports organisations from throughout Waitaha Canterbury to share a common language and unified messaging in community sport. 

BALANCE IS BETTER

Balance is Better is an evidence-based philosophy promoting quality sport experiences for all young people, regardless of ability, needs and motivations.

It is about young people getting and staying involved in sport for life and realising their potential at the right time.

The philosophy has been developed by the New Zealand sport system (sport organisations, leaders, schools, clubs, coaches, parents and volunteers) focusing on nine principles to support the culture changes needed to provide quality sport opportunities for all tamariki (5-11) and rangatahi (12-18).​​​​​​​

GOOD SPORTS

Good Sports is a culture change initiative to create positive sporting experiences for children and young people by educating and supporting the key adult influencers in youth sport, particularly parents.

Well-aligned to Balance is Better, it recognises supporting and educating adults is crucial to ensure Kiwi children have the best chance of having positive sporting experiences and ultimately growing a lifelong love of sport. 

Good Sports is a well-established and highly regarded initiative initially designed by Aktive as a Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa-funded Active Communities Project, and then further developed.