How Flexible is Your Club/Sport?
27 March 2023
Sport is competing for time with everything else that rangatahi have got going on (and other opportunities) so, if you haven’t already, it’s time to review your offerings!
Some key ideas from the rangatahi who participated in the ‘Future of Rangatahi Sport in NZ’ research* include:
- Shorter games,
- Allowing greater flexibility for participation in games/training,
- Providing equipment at games (so rangatahi don’t need to buy/carry it – especially to school)
- More social leagues. 55% of rangatahi think more social leagues, with emphasis on participating and having fun would be effective in encouraging young people to continue with organised sport.
The time of day that training takes place also impacts on their decision whether to participate or not. The preferred times for training are:
- Weekdays – soon after school (59% of rangatahi prefer this time)
- Weekdays – in the evening (28%)
- This does differ slightly by age, with younger rangatahi preferring the earlier time slot (65% versus 54% for rangatahi aged 17–18).
Needing to turn up to every training session is another key factor with 45% of rangatahi thinking that more flexible teams, with less commitment, would encourage young people to continue with organised sport.
For many, after COVID lockdowns, the motivation to get back into sport just isn't there. Once young people stop playing sport, it's hard to start again. This is a key point to note. We need to do what we can to retain them in sport because once they’ve dropped out, it’s hard to reengage them.
Many young people openly admitted that they became lazy and unmotivated – and that once they get into the 'mode' of playing video games and watching Netflix, motivation to play sport dwindles. Once they get out of the routine, the self-imposed pressure on some young people around performing increases and any fears they have are increased.
They look for external motivation from schools and elsewhere to encourage them to get back into it – or try something new. This could be the time for them to try a different sport, so what can you do to appeal and encourage this?
- Organise fun, social, ‘have a go’ days
- Hold skill development sessions
- Provide Youtube videos showing skill development
- Have social teams
- Relax on the uniform requirements!
In our next RSU, read about the practical considerations that young people mention that get in the way of participating and the impact that uniforms have, particularly for girls and transgender participants - if you’re prepared to have some flexibility in your rules, this could be an easy fix!
*‘Future of Rangatahi Sport in NZ’ In 2022, Nuku Ora in partnership with five RSOs, College Sport Wellington and Sport New Zealand, commissioned Kantar Public to identify the different barriers and drivers to rangatahi (aged 15-18) participating in sport and to understand the level of impact each of the barriers and drivers has on their participation. Ultimately, we wanted to better understand how to increase rangatahi participation rates in sport in the wider Wellington region.
