Six Waipā organisations and a programme delivered in the district by Waikato Rugby Union secured Tū Manawa funding with the help of Sport Waikato.
Te Awamutu AFC holiday programme.
The $158,367 was allocated to champion access to quality physical activity for children and youth.
Hadon Westerby
Tū Manawa addresses the barriers children and young people face in accessing an opportunity, so it has a particular focus on groups who are less active, including girls and young women, and disabled people.
In Sport Waikato’s six-monthly report to Waipā’s Service Delivery committee this week, regional connectivity coordinator Hadon Westerby said the organisation’s strategic objective was to increase the participation in play, active recreation and sport across the region.
It has a service agreement with Waipā to deliver outcomes locally which is currently being redrafted.
Tū Manawa is aimed at addressing the barriers children and young people face in accessing an opportunity, so it has a particular focus on groups who are less active, including girls and young women, and disabled people.
Groups to get funding in Waipā with Sport Waikato’s support were: Ōhaupō Karate Trust – Karate Club and Self Defence programme, St Patrick’s Catholic School Te Awamutu – Meaningful Movement, Te Awamutu Junior Rugby Sub Union – Girls Rugby Pilot, Dance Therapy NZ – Dance 4 Us Te Awamutu, Te Awamutu Rugby Sports and Recreation Club Inc – Te Awamutu Wahine Rangatahi Rugby Sevens Development Initiative and Te Awamutu AFC – Community Football Holiday Programme.
Waikato Rugby Union’s junior girls’ rugby development programme also got Tū Manawa funding for Waipā.
Sport Waikato is also working with Te Awamutu College, Cambridge High School and St Peter’s School in Cambridge on a Moving Waikato Youth Survey as part of its focus on helping stakeholders make decisions and enable community conversations.
Westerby has been regularly able to hot desk in council offices which helped develop a network of Waipā, Waikato, Hamilton and Hauraki council staff to share ideas and learnings on a range of issues including field bookings, line marking nuisance motor bikes on reserves, field upgrades and floodlighting.
The Te Awamutu Sports Junior Rugby tour team celebrates winning the Ovalive Tournament Terroirs of the
World in France. Photo: Supplied
A successful girls’ rugby pilot programme in Te Awamutu for girls in years three to eight – a partnership between Te Awamutu Junior Rugby Sub Union, Waikato RU and Sport Waikato – was a tremendous success with 95 per cent of parents recognising that fun was a major factor in their daughters’ participation.
“A key role of Sport Waikato staff is to support connections between key stakeholders in play, active recreation, and sport to enhance community outcomes,” the report said.
Connections were made with national groups such as Recreation Aoteaora and the Walking Access Commission.
Te Awamutu Squash, Te Awamutu AFC, Leamington Rugby, Pirongia Sport Complex and Skateboard Steering Group, Cambridge Cricket and Cambridge Raceway all benefitted from the connections.
Cambridge v Te Awamutu Football
The report suggested the council should looks at ways to identify opportunities to celebrate sport and recreation outcomes.
Sport Waikato will support World Youth, World Car Free and World Volunteers days as well as Māori Language, National Clean Up, Mental Health Awareness, National Play and National Get Outdoors weeks.
“Consider the creation and communication of suitable activities and messaging that supports these and other relevant awareness events,” its report said.
Its work in the disability community was also covered.
Sport Waikato is involved in the Accessibility and Inclusion (Disability) network to cater to people with a disability.
The network includes 14 representatives from 11 different disability organisations – Blind Low Vision, Halberg, Special Olympics, Parafed Waikato, Starjam, Enabling Good Lives Waikato, My Life My Voice, Equipotential, Enrich Plus, Hamilton City Council and Brain Injury Trust.
