Good Sports® aims to create positive sporting experiences for Kiwi kids by supporting and educating the key adult influencers in children’s sport: parents, caregivers, coaches, teachers and sport leaders.
Both practitioners and researchers supporting Good Sports agree that issues in children’s sport, such as poor side-line behaviour, early onset of overuse injury, burnout and disaffection with sport, stem from adult involvement in children’s sport and can ultimately hinder success on and off the field. To address these issues and give Kiwi kids the greatest chance of developing a lifelong love of sport, Good Sports believes we need to raise adults’ awareness about their behaviours in children’s sport, and if necessary, promote a positive shift in that behaviour.
We all know sport can be a vehicle to help children to be active, healthy and learn life skills; critical in the success of these things happening, is the quality of support that adults provide children in sport.
Balance is Better is about creating quality experiences for all young people to keep them active and in the game.
Sport NZ has developed the Balance is Better philosophy to inform and provide a framework that puts the needs of the participant first. It originated from the Sport NZ Talent Plan 2016-2020 that focused on growing the capability of the sporting system to better prepare athletes in their development phase to help them realise their potential. Balance is Better has now become a broader conversation underpinning Sport NZ’s overall approach to youth sport that focusses on maximising participation and skill development.
Good Sports Online Modules
Looking for an interactive way to learn about Good Sports online? Check out the Good Sports Online Modules to start your time on the right foot with the best approach to coaching kids.
Aktive have created a tool that will help you as an adult take a step back and reflect on the bigger questions; am I helping a child have a quality sporting experience and am I helping children fall in love with sport? The Good Sports Spine looks to help you answer these questions.
The Good Sports Spine is a great tool for reflecting on what kind of environment you’re promoting in children’s sports. As a coach you should use this tool to guide how you coach.
The ultimate guide for all coaches in youth sport!
No matter if you’re new to coaching or have been coaching for years read our Good Sports Guide For Coaches. Find out all that you need to know about coaching children from why they play sport or how to deal and handle parents.