Nearly 400 tamariki from six Christchurch schools are getting the opportunity of a lifetime every Friday through an initiative co-designed and developed by local principals as part of Tamai Kāhui Ako, aimed to get children in their school cluster outdoors, moving and having fun.

It’s called the Tamai Sport Exposure and Engagement Project – and it’s creating new experiences for these Christchurch kids.

A collaborative approach between Healthy Active Learning’s Regional Lead and Tamai Kāhui Ako saw the initiative become a reality through Sport Canterbury’s Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa funding.

Six months ago, in the midst of pandemic, New Zealand saw the launch of Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa – a fund administered by Regional Sports Trusts (including Sport Canterbury) to help meet the needs of young people. The fund is managed through Regional Sports Trusts and some great initiatives are being supported, to help break down barriers to participation for tamariki.

It’s based on the idea that being active and having opportunities to play sport can contribute to the mental and emotional wellbeing of Canterbury kids, in an environment that has been incredibly challenging.

The six-week initiative invites Year 5 and 6 children from Te Waka Unua, Linwood Avenue School, Ngutuawa School, Tamariki School, Bromley School and Whītau School to Woolston Park every Friday afternoon to have a go and participate in a range of sport, games and activities run by the coaches at Kelly Sports. 

From Ultimate Frisbee to Capture the Flag, Snag Golf and Tapu Ae, the focus is on non-mainstream sports that the children have seen before. The format of 12 different sports and activities allows the tamariki to rotate through two 30-minute stations each session. 

“The reality for these kids is, if they don’t make the team, they don’t get to play. While the children who have made a team head off to sport on a Friday, these children carry on with their usual school programme.

“Lots of our kids want to play sports, but might struggle at Hagley, so it’s about creating an environment for them.”

Te Waka Unua and Tamai Kāhui Ako Lead Janeane Reid

Steve Potter, owner of Kelly Sports, emphasises that the initiative is about having a go, having fun and enjoying the experience. 

The project also gives children the opportunity to ask their teachers about exploring any activity or sport they particularly enjoy if they wish to pursue it further.
 

Article added: Wednesday 05 May 2021