Following the recent announcement from Sport New Zealand regarding its focus on children (Tamariki) and young people (Rangitahi), Sport Waikato are excited to announce the expansion of the This is ME® Secondary Schools programme, which will be supported by Sport New Zealand’s Young Women’s Activation Fund.

Sport Waikato is one of nine organisations nationally to be invested in to create opportunities for young women aged 12 to 18 to increase their time spent being physically active and to take up leadership opportunities in play, active recreation and sport.

Launched in 2018, the This is ME® Secondary School Programme has been operating across four secondary schools in two districts of the Waikato region – Te Kuiti High School, Waihi College, Piopio College and Paeroa College.

The programme invovles This is ME® representatives working in partnership with schools, local sport, recreation and physical activity providers and young women themselves to create opportunities for female students to be active in ways that are exciting and relevant in order to reverse the downward trend in participation.

In so doing, This is ME® works to establish female leaders in the school setting, while working alongside these young women to co-design and co-deliver inclusive and supportive opportunities for activity.

Simultaneously, the programme is used as a springboard for discussions with key secondary school influencers (Principals, PE Teachers and Sports Coordinators) about the need for structural change in sport and physical activity provision and delivery in the education setting.

Across the lifespan of the programme, student-designed and led initiaitves have included colour festivals, lunchtime activities (and subsequently, increased school connections with community providers) such as boxing, Zumba, yoga, pilates, Quick-Rip Rugby (modified-hybrid of Ripper and Rugby 7s), Steptember challenges, as well as important conversations about school event delivery (e.g. cross-country).
 
The Young Women’s Activation funding will now allow for the regional expansion of This is ME® and support to be offered to secondary schools across the Waikato region with the goal of encouraging more young women to move more their way.

Expansion of This is ME® is set to occur across the secondary school space over a three year period, and the team are excited to be able to support Sport Waikato’s secondary school partners to understand the needs of young women so as to counteract the significant drop-off in participation that occurs among this group.
 
If you have any questions about the programme, or a desire to be involved, please contact Amy Marfell, This is ME® Initiaitve Lead, at amym@sportwaikato.org.nz

This is ME® Secondary Schools Programme Expansion

More News Articles

~/getmedia/e8760f79-59e9-4723-86c8-c6d2389c1c37/MC-2_1.jpg.aspx?width=480&height=363&ext=.jpg
Celebrating the benefits of active and creative recreation

Celebrating the benefits of active and creative recreation

15/07/2024

CEOs Matthew Cooper of Sport Waikato and Dr. Jeremy Mayall of Creative Waikato met last week to experience ‘Te Ara Toi o Te Taniwha’ together.

Click to read more

~/getmedia/331146c2-7b64-49ed-ae83-d3662150d65e/web-cover.jpg.aspx?width=480&height=270&ext=.jpg
Waikato Regional Active Spaces Plan now live

Waikato Regional Active Spaces Plan now live

03/07/2024

Sport Waikato, alongside contributing author Robyn Cockburn (Lumin Consultancy), have renewed the Waikato Regional Active Spaces Plan which was presented and endorsed at the Waikato Mayoral Forum in March.

Click to read more

~/getmedia/05fd7984-5181-4468-8cc3-1751529bbc5b/Montage-copy.png.aspx?width=480&height=270&ext=.png
Sport Waikato

Sport Waikato's This is ME brand to 'retire' 

02/07/2024

After 7 years of encouraging, supporting, and celebrating women and girls of all ages and abilities to move their bodies their way...

Click to read more

~/getmedia/a3395595-d219-47b3-8314-10e219772122/img_1560-copy.jpg.aspx
‘Positive Vibes Only’ sideline behaviour campaign launches in the Waikato region

‘Positive Vibes Only’ sideline behaviour campaign launches in the Waikato region

04/04/2024

Head down to any sports field on a Saturday morning and you’re more than likely to encounter some negative sideline behaviour...

Click to read more

Working...