Sport Waikato

Nearly two years on from the opening of the Gallagher Recreation Centre – a multi sport and recreation complex in the Waitomo district – the facility has exceeded expectations and become a hub for the King Country community and beyond.    With increasing barriers to participation, including location, travel and cost of participation, the Gallagher Recreation Centre is a fantastic example of how a community-school partnership has grown participation and given the district and its communities a facility to be proud of.     “It’s fantastic. You can’t get a better feeling as a Mayor visiting here and seeing this place really buzzing and seeing our young people involved in sport.” Waitomo Mayor John Robertson. Game On Charitable Trust | Waitomo District Council | Ministry of Education New Zealand | Te Kūiti High School | Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa Video filmed and edited by our amazing friends Nicola Franks & Daniel Franks at Play Creative

With the help of Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa's Tū Manawa funding distributed by Sport Waikato, The Dames Surf Club is providing a new programme that is bringing young women back to the waves with confidence and community.   The Dames Surf Club is a non-profit organisation based in Raglan that aims to empower women through surfing. “We provide a space where women can learn life skills, overcome fear and judgement, and embrace the belief that they can achieve anything,” says Nina Dunyach, The Dames Society Officer.   Whether growing up in Raglan, in a surfing family, or having a call to the ocean, all of the young women who gathered on the beach for the first EmpowHER surf session were facing the same problem.   They wanted to start or get back into surfing but were finding it hard, lacking the confidence without a crew or community around them.   With a crew to motivate you, to learn with, to fall down and get back up with, it can make it that much easier. It can give you the confidence you need to surf again.   The Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa fund is aimed at addressing the barriers children and young people face in accessing an opportunity and has a particular focus on groups who are less active, including girls and young women.   It is the hope of Nina Dunyach, who is the driving force behind the new programme, that the connections made between the young women attending the sessions will be long-lasting and provide them with the community they need.   The EmpowHER Surf and Pilates Teens Programme is running for 12 weeks, providing one free pilates and surf session weekly.   You can find out more about the programme by emailing thedamesraglan@gmail.com.   Read more about The Dames Surf Club and their goal of empowering waahine in the waves: https://lnkd.in/gBhip-4H Watch the video: https://lnkd.in/gtE_Q7Vb Photos by Sea Her Photography #surfing #waikatoregion #empowerher

As the 2024 year comes to a close, and on behalf of the Sport Waikato Chairman Phil Taylor, Board of Directors and Staff in our 38th year, it’s a privilege to present the 2024 Annual Report. Merry Christmas everyone - take time out to relax, enjoy your whaanau and friends, and keep being active by doing something you enjoy 🥰 🤸♀️ View the Annual Report: https://lnkd.in/gg8yaNHP #waikato #christmas #annualreport

Congratulations to all those involved in making this happen for our Matamata-Piako communities! 👏

👋 Meet VERONICA MAREE || Regional Connectivity Coordinator (South) Veronica provides strategic leadership to the Waikato region’s network of Territorial Local Authorities as well as local sport and active recreation organisations and providers. She works closely with key partners to guide physical activity strategy, provision and investment, including through the development and implementation of local play, active recreation and sport plans. #MeetTheTeam #OurPeople #PhysicalActivity #Journey #SportWaikato

Tū Manawa funding closes at midnight on Friday, 25 October! Make sure your applications are in! Application link 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/gU8DgVYV #Funding #Waikato #WaikatoNZ #ParticipantVoice

👋 Meet Erin Drayson || Professional Learning Partner (Primary) Erin helps build teacher confidence, challenge current thinking and practice, and provide teachers with the tools to use physical education, sport and physical activity as a vehicle to drive greater wellbeing/hauora outcomes for tamariki. She supports school leaders and teachers to better plan and implement the Health and Physical Education and Hauora Curriculum, identifying, developing and supporting opportunities for quality physical activity experiences for tamariki wellbeing. #MeetTheTeam #OurPeople #PhysicalActivity #Journey #SportWaikato

Applying for Tū Manawa funding? Here’s what you need to know about the Voice of the Participant. The next round of Tū Manawa funding closes at midnight on Friday, 25 October. This round is Fast Fund only (up to $30,000). Start collecting VOP and submit your application! 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/gU8DgVYV #Funding #Waikato #WaikatoNZ #ParticipantVoice

What happens in Council Chambers? We partner with 10 local councils in the region to help fund the work that we do and increase levels of physical activity and wellbeing. Sport Waikato reports back to councils regularly on the work that our team are doing in their area. Our Chief Executive Matthew Cooper and Regional Connectivity Coordinator (North) Hadon Westerby recently attended an Infrastructure Committee meeting at Waikato District Council where Sport Waikato, the Mayor and Councillors discussed the report and the work that Sport Waikato is leading across their district. As part of the meeting the Play, Active Recreation & Sport Plan for the Waikato District was formally adopted. Created jointly between Sport Waikato and Council, the plan works as an evidence-based strategic framework for future investment and initiatives in play, active recreation and sport within the Waikato District from 2024 to 2034. Mayor Jacqui Church said, “This plan and our approach of working together helps us understand how our community uses parks, reserves, and halls for play and sports, both now and in the future.” Thanks as always for having us Waikato District Council #WaikatoNZ #Waikato #WaikatoDistrict #Play #Recreation #Sport #Council #CouncilChamber

Active As Regional Hui 🌟 Empowering secondary school students to design and implement their physical activity programmes. Check it out 👇 #ActiveAs #PhysicalActivity #Waikato #WaikatoNZ Sport New Zealand