A six-week programme aimed to give rangatahi the opportunity to try a new sport or activity has seen over 100 Rangi Ruru students, some of whom were relatively inactive prior to the initiative, now looking to further their participation.

In Term 1, 120 Year 11 students from six different classes at Rangi Ruru took a trip during school time on a Wednesday or Thursday to their local sports club - Elmwood Club - to participate in a 45-minute ‘have a go’ session that included croquet, handball, and beach football. They got to participate in each sport twice as part of the six-week achievement standard. 

The girls were part of the Rangi Ruru compulsory PE class led by Head of PE and Health, Debbie Robertson.

The ‘have a go’ opportunity was made possible through Sport New Zealand’s Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa funding, which funded Elmwood Club to run a sports programme focused on increasing girls’ participation. 

Elmwood Club Sports Hub engaged Robertson at the end of last year about the possibility of developing a programme to get more year 11’s involved and participating.

Elmwood Club Sports Hub Manager Matt de Vries worked alongside Robertson to brainstorm how a ‘have a go’ programme might work, and what could be done to get the students involved.

“We wanted to create something that would give females the opportunity to be able to participate in sport in a calm, non-competitive environment – that was key,” says de Vries.

 “We thought the compulsory PE classes here would be the best option because we have such a range of girls in these classes. We wanted to show them that they can engage in many different activities and try something new,” adds Robertson.

The three sports that were chosen were carefully selected because of what they had to offer the students in terms of participation, enjoyment, and ability.

“We decided on the three sports because they were different and didn’t need high skill levels and it was a good chance to engage with the community. We are big on trying to use our local community, and so having that connection with Elmwood was fantastic as it’s nice and close,” says Robertson. 

As part of the programme, de Vries brought in external providers to run the sessions with the students. These included the Elmwood Croquet Club, Mainland Football and Canterbury Handball.

“The girls formed amazing connections with the older people at the Elmwood Croquet Club – it has been something really special,” says Robertson.

The outcomes of this initiative have simply been incredible.

“As part of the achievement standard, the students had to reflect on their experience as part of their learning. Every one of them, from the elite sports people to the ones that don’t play anything, enjoyed the sports, especially croquet,” says Robertson.

“As a result of this programme, I have had so many girls wanting to carry on with croquet who would not usually engage in sport, and we’ve now got this amazing connection with the Elmwood Croquet Club. The club even organised a game for us at the Christchurch Croquet Club against St Margaret’s.

“One of the students who has never engaged with any sport has set up a social football team with her friends. We have had amazing flow on affects - the ones who don’t typically love physical education loved it all, and the plan is to expand the programme next year.

“It wouldn’t have happened without this programme and the funding, which paid for transport and operational costs,” adds Robertson.

Ultimately, through this initiative Robertson and de Vries wanted to open the door to opportunities the girls previously did not know existed.

“Coming out of school has amazing benefits for their wellbeing because they are out of that school environment and it’s showing them what’s around – it doesn’t have to be what they think.

“There are lots of opportunities outside of school, and it doesn’t have to be traditional activities and sport,” says Robertson.

The Elmwood Club is looking to extend this type of programme to other schools in the future.

“We want to continue to grow and develop these opportunities for young women, and we are connecting with other schools to make this happen,” says de Vries.

Learn more about the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa fund - Click here

Contact the Elmwood Club - Click here 

  
Article added: Tuesday 20 April 2021