Unique programme removing barriers to participation in sports for tamariki in Christchurch East
Joining a local sports team or club can be a life-changing experience for tamariki by setting them up with healthy habits at a young age. However, in New Zealand tamariki are not getting that experience with declining participation rates and barriers that prevent some of our young people from engaging in sports.
Christchurch East-based Tamai Sports are bucking that trend by improving access to sports alongside inclusive and culturally centred opportunities to participate in the local community.
Using sport as the vehicle for participation, the unique not-for-profit organisation adopts Māori and Pasifika values to nurture cultural identity and diversity in their programmes, building trusted relationships with whānau and the community.
Tamai supports tamariki aged between eight and 12 years old who are selected to participate from the Tamai Learning Cluster of seven schools: Te Waka Unua, Linwood Avenue, Whītau School, Tamariki, Te Aratai College, Ngutuawa School and Bromley.
Programme Director Ben Hamilton says Tamai is committed to working alongside young people and their whānau to ensure they enjoy active participation in sport and recreation.
"Tamai Sports has been born out of community need," says Ben. "Through extensive research and our work with the community, we have identified four key barriers to participation that we are committed to removing. These include transport, uniforms and equipment, food, and access to coaches or positive mentors.
"We build programmes in collaboration with relevant partners to provide tamariki and whānau with inclusive and culturally centred opportunities to participate."
The programme is delivered on a Tuesday afternoon, with tamariki transported to Linfield Park in Linwood, where they are provided afternoon tea and take part in the Cultural & Hauora Programme, delivered in partnership with He Waka Tapu. The programme includes waiata/kapa haka, cultural identity, wellbeing, goal planning, keeping your tinana well, healthy kai, mindfulness and Mau Rākau (Māori martial arts).
Following these sessions, tamariki receive a 45-minute sports coaching session in either rugby, football, touch, cricket or netball and share nutritious kai.
"Teams then compete in the relevant Saturday sports competitions against other clubs," adds Ben.
"Our goal is to see tamariki transition into Linwood Rugby Club or Coastal Spirit Football Club following their three years with Tamai Sports. We work closely with clubs to strengthen the pathway for tamariki and their whānau."
A 2022 Impact Evaluation report from Ihi Research found Tamai has been able to effectively mitigate participation barriers in several ways, including proactively addressing barriers to participation; providing excellent role models; utilising sport as a vehicle for modelling and teaching life skills; and responding to the cultures of tamariki and whānau who attend. The research was conducted through a kaupapa Māori lens.
As Ihi Research Chief Executive John Leonard says, the response from whānau about the programme's impact was overwhelmingly positive.
"Whānau interviewed for our evaluation were unanimously positive about the impact Tamai Sports has had on their tamariki," says John.
"They spoke about increased confidence; enhanced mana and self-esteem; improved self-management skills; greater positivity; increased physical activity; and improved attitude and attendance at school.
"Whānau also conveyed their appreciation of the whānau-centred nature of Tamai Sports, noting they felt valued and included."
Janeane Reid, Lead Principal of the Tamai Learning Cluster, agrees that the programme has positively influenced the way tamariki show up in the classroom.
"By removing barriers to participation, our students not only benefit from learning a new sport, being part of a team and getting involved and active but of equal significance is the opportunity to have great role models and mentors guiding them, creating and modelling positive relationships and interactions," says Janeane.
"We have seen children in the programme presenting with greater belief that they have something to contribute as young people. This programme can influence their pathway through life and the contribution they will make back to society in the future."
Max says her cousin Heyden has not looked back since joining the programme two years ago.
"Tamai Sports has not only supported Heyden with rugby skills, it's so much more than that," says Max.
"When the team first started out, the kids were not communicating well nor playing as a team but they just kept evolving. I am amazed at how well they play together as a team now, their skills are continually improving, and the kids are meeting and making new friends.
"Tamai has allowed both of us to develop good, positive relationships, get outdoors and be more involved. I am noticing changes in Heyden, especially his confidence, peer skills, and on a physical level."
During the 2022 winter season, more than 50% of participants in the programme identified as Māori or Pasifika, with that number in 2023 now close to 62%. There is even representation among boys and girls participating, with the number of girls slightly higher (51.1%) than that of boys (48.9%).
This winter season, they had enough registrations for two rugby teams, two football teams and three netball teams, and the success of the programme has also allowed Tamai to grow its partnerships with other community organisations in the Tamai Learning Cluster.
He Waka Tapu Chief Operating Officer Tanith Petersen says their partnership with Tamai aims to provide young people with skills and experiences to set them up for the future.
"He Waka Tapu is all about supporting tamariki through Tamai Sports, helping them embrace tikanga and nurture their cultural identity," Tanith says.
"We firmly believe this connection is vital to their overall growth, providing them with lifelong skills and experiences."
Looking ahead, Tamai is expanding its nutrition programme, providing healthy meals to 80 tamariki following their sports training for the 16-week programme. A cookbook for participating whānau is underway, and there are plans for a new 'teach tamariki to cook' initiative, which will see them help chefs prepare their weekly meals.
South Island funder Rātā Foundation and other significant funders like Te Pūtahitanga have supported Tamai Sports for the last three years. Tamai’s work to strengthen the hauora of tamariki by removing barriers to accessing training or games and designing a programme that is accessible and culturally appropriate aligns with the Rātā funding focus priority to provide equitable access to participation opportunities in sport and active recreation in communities of need.
"The real strength of Tamai Sports is their holistic approach to health, wellbeing and participation," says Rātā Foundation Chief Executive Leighton Evans.
"Their programmes harness all of the great values of active participation in sport, allowing Tamai to connect with whānau, schools and community to support the wider hauora of tamariki.
"The growth of their programmes and reach shows their commitment to removing barriers to participation and collaborating with other community organisations to achieve the best results for tamariki in Christchurch East."