KiwiSport for Kids
KiwiSport is one of New Zealand's greatest (sporting success stories. Organized more than 15 years ago, it is now a regular activity in nine out of ten primary and intermediate schools and has spread to youth clubs and churches as well. Its main goal is to make sport and exercise fun and available to all of New Zealand's young people — regardless of age, sex, or ability.
"It's loads of fun," says 11-year-old Shem Rodger. "My favorite sport is Kiwi Touch, but I play soccer, netball, and field hockey, too."
Shem lives in Cambridge on New Zealand's North Island. "Kiwi Touch is no-tackle rugby that is popular with both boys and girls at my school," he explains. 'The girls also enjoy Kiwi Netball — it's like basketball, but you aren't allowed to dribble. Boys mostly like soccer and rugby."
KiwiSport is based on Aussie Sport, a similar program for young people in Australia. KiwiSport modifies adult sports and makes them easier for kids to play. Rules are changed, the playing areas become smaller, and the equipment is made shorter and lighter. In Kiwi Softball, for example, younger kids are allowed to bat off a high tee in order to hit the ball farther and more solidly. A ball softer than a regular softball is used, making it easier to catch. To encourage kids to help each other, the pitcher is part of the team at bat.
The Hillary Commission for Sport. Fitness, and Leisure, which provides money for the program, chose the name KiwiSport. Seventeen regional offices located across New Zealand assist in supplying the equipment, teaching manuals, and learning activities needed for each of the 29 different KiwiSport programs. Through play and simple activities, kids can develop skills at their own pace. This approach makes it easier to learn and enjoy sports, and helps children continue with sport and exercise as they grow older.
Vanessa Brown and Jodie McLuskie are KiwiSport coaches. Their sport of choice is marching, which is similar to drill team participation in the United States. Vanessa and Jodie, who are from Hamilton, began marching as youngsters and have continued with the sport as adults. Marching is fairly new to the program, but it is already a popular part of the physical education classes in the younger grades. In Kiwi Marching, the children learn only the simplest parts of the sport. That way. they can have fun while learning commitment and team spirit.
Kids with special needs or cultural differences have the same opportunities as everyone else. Sports are simply changed to fit their needs. Shem recalls a classmate who could not play soccer as fast as the others. "We all slowed down so he could do well in the game," he says.
Shem Rodger sums up the program in one phrase when he says, "Play hard, but play fair."
By Martha Klawitter
"It's loads of fun," says 11-year-old Shem Rodger. "My favorite sport is Kiwi Touch, but I play soccer, netball, and field hockey, too."
Shem lives in Cambridge on New Zealand's North Island. "Kiwi Touch is no-tackle rugby that is popular with both boys and girls at my school," he explains. 'The girls also enjoy Kiwi Netball — it's like basketball, but you aren't allowed to dribble. Boys mostly like soccer and rugby."
KiwiSport is based on Aussie Sport, a similar program for young people in Australia. KiwiSport modifies adult sports and makes them easier for kids to play. Rules are changed, the playing areas become smaller, and the equipment is made shorter and lighter. In Kiwi Softball, for example, younger kids are allowed to bat off a high tee in order to hit the ball farther and more solidly. A ball softer than a regular softball is used, making it easier to catch. To encourage kids to help each other, the pitcher is part of the team at bat.
The Hillary Commission for Sport. Fitness, and Leisure, which provides money for the program, chose the name KiwiSport. Seventeen regional offices located across New Zealand assist in supplying the equipment, teaching manuals, and learning activities needed for each of the 29 different KiwiSport programs. Through play and simple activities, kids can develop skills at their own pace. This approach makes it easier to learn and enjoy sports, and helps children continue with sport and exercise as they grow older.
Vanessa Brown and Jodie McLuskie are KiwiSport coaches. Their sport of choice is marching, which is similar to drill team participation in the United States. Vanessa and Jodie, who are from Hamilton, began marching as youngsters and have continued with the sport as adults. Marching is fairly new to the program, but it is already a popular part of the physical education classes in the younger grades. In Kiwi Marching, the children learn only the simplest parts of the sport. That way. they can have fun while learning commitment and team spirit.
Kids with special needs or cultural differences have the same opportunities as everyone else. Sports are simply changed to fit their needs. Shem recalls a classmate who could not play soccer as fast as the others. "We all slowed down so he could do well in the game," he says.
Shem Rodger sums up the program in one phrase when he says, "Play hard, but play fair."
By Martha Klawitter
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