The top of the South Island is the most active region, but some bold new initiatives launched by Sport Tasman is hoped to see those number soar even higher.
As revealed last month by Nelson Weekly, the region covering Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, Buller and Kaikōura has the most active adults (79%) and the most active young people (94%).
While these figures are encouraging, Sport Tasman CEO Ed Shuttleworth, who has been in his role for 18 months, acknowledges there are still significant challenges to tackle.
“There’s some confronting data,” Ed says. “Behind those impressive numbers, there are large inequalities, particularly for Māori, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, women and girls, rural communities, former refugees, and those with disabilities. These groups have less access to physical activity, and that’s something we need to address.”
Ed and his team have undertaken extensive research to understand the barriers these groups face. "We realised our work was very broad, covering everything from facilities to schools, funding, and coaching. So, we sharpened our focus and asked ourselves, 'Why do we exist?' The answer was clear: to enhance lives through physical activity and ensure everyone has access."
A key area of concern is the steep drop-off in youth participation in physical activity, particularly between the ages of 11 and 14. “The decline is national, but it’s especially steep here,” Ed explains. To counter this, Sport Tasman is working closely with schools, colleges, and regional sports organisations to create engaging, inclusive experiences that keep young people involved in physical activity.
One of their standout initiatives is partnership with Safeguarding Children. This pilot programme is aimed at improving safeguarding in sport and will provide education, training, guidance, and support to selected regional sporting organisations. “We want to make this region the safest in the country for children involved in sport,” Ed says.
Sport Tasman is also addressing financial barriers. Through the SportStart programme, they provide funding to help families cover costs like registration fees and sports equipment. Launched last year, the programme has seen high demand, with hundreds of applications each month. Ed hopes to expand it further to ensure no child misses out on the benefits of physical activity due to cost.
With a focus on collaboration, Sport Tasman holds monthly hui with regional sports organisations to tackle issues such as sideline behaviour, youth coaching, and seasonal balance in sports. “Our approach is child-first,” Ed says. “We listen to what children want, remove barriers, and design experiences that meet their needs.”
Looking ahead, Ed is advocating for a region-wide strategy to keep young people active and engaged throughout their lives. "Physical activity brings enormous benefits, and we're committed to making sure everyone in our community has the opportunity to experience those benefits."
