Young women across the Eastern Bay of Plenty will have the opportunity to get involved in sports leadership roles thanks to the new Take the Lead initiative which launches this week.
The Take the Lead programme has been developed to provide opportunities for leadership development for young women (aged from 13 to 20) in sport and recreation over a three-year period. The project is jointly supported by Sport New Zealand, Sport Bay of Plenty, and the Whakatāne, Kawerau and Ōpōtiki District Councils.
Whakatāne District Council Manager Community Services and Take the Lead Project Steering Group Chair, Paula Chapman, says the benefits of the programme are far-reaching. “These young women are more likely to stay engaged in sport and recreation, and become positive role models for other young women,” she says. “We’ll also see a regenerated volunteer pool supporting others keen to participate in sport and recreation.”
Bay of Plenty Secondary School Principals Association and Steering Group representative, Chris Nielsen, says development of the programme participants, and the ongoing leadership which will result, will also increase opportunities for others to engage with and continue participating in sport and recreation.
“The project concept is to work with secondary school-age girls to deliver the skills that will see our young women develop as coaches, instructors, referees, administrators and event organisers,” Mr Nielsen says. “The opportunity to achieve qualifications, develop leadership skills and gain relevant experience will also contribute to improved self-confidence and a CV that is attractive to employers.”
Sport Bay of Plenty Sport Manager and Steering Group representative, Megan Cleverley, says the programme will be carried out in phases, with the initial step being to recruit facilitators in each of the districts and establish the project team. “It’s important that the programme has buy-in from the young women right from the get-go,” she says. “This is why we’ll be engaging young women, who have been identified through the facilitators, to help develop the programme through a series of focus groups.”
The project will be kicking off in schools with students from Edgecumbe College, Ōpōtiki College, Te Whānau-a-Apanui Area School, Tarawera High School, Murupara Area School and Te Wharekura O Rūātoki the first to be involved in the programme development.
Mrs Chapman says the Take the Lead programme has huge potential, but support is paramount. “The programme needs to have support and early engagement from the schools, as well as our community sport and recreation groups, clubs and organisations.”