School sport opportunities to help students move

We know that participating in school sport positively impacts students physical and mental health, and provides valuable social connections. Physical activity has also been shown to stimulate brain function, and is likely to increase academic performance.

A long-term study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health tracked the sports participation of more than 4000 Australian children aged four to 13. Researchers found that continued sports participation during school years was linked to lower absenteeism, better attention and memory, and higher end-of-school scores, as well as higher odds of studying at university.

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In the Aotearoa New Zealand context, a review published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found evidence which shows examples of the links between sport and physical activity and improved outcomes in subjective wellbeing, individual development, personal behaviour, and social and community development. In particular, for Māori students, the findings demonstrated a strong impact on social and community development through building social capital and enhancing cultural identity.

How much movement is enough?

The Ministry of Health recommends that children and young people aged five to 18 years get 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per day. This is more than the 30 minutes per day recommended for adults. The 60 minutes does not need to be completed all at once, and can be achieved over several shorter sessions. Activities which strengthen muscles and bones should also be included in the 60 minutes throughout the week.

The Ministry of Health’s National Survey of Children and Young People’s Physical and Dietary Behaviours found that most five to nine-year-olds met the guidelines for physical activity. However, this decreased with age, with a corollary rise in screentime. About 40 percent of children met the guideline for less than two hours per day in front of computers, game consoles or TV. Long periods of sitting, for example in front of a screen, can lessen the benefits of physical activity. This means it is important to encourage students to move and exercise throughout the day.

Physical activity should take place in a variety of settings, meaning schools should provide opportunities for children to move. School sport, whether competitive team sports, health and physical education lessons, or activities at lunchtime, before, or after school, there are many opportunities to help students be active. Students may benefit from decreased stress and anxiety, improved concentration, better self-esteem, and improved fitness, including coordination and motor skills.

For the reluctant movers

Not everyone is a lover of sport, and some students may need to be given opportunities to move in a creative way.

A simple activity might be a running club. Students gather together before or after school, or during lunch time to run or walk laps of the oval. Speed need not be the goal, though showing up and moving as best you can should be encouraged. Students could challenge themselves to better their performance each time, walking one extra lap or completing the course quicker than last time. For some extra fun, your school could set up a park run style course around the school grounds.

Blending elements of problem solving with physical activity, orienteering or geocaching are great ways to get students outside. Students can work together to find the next target, and often run excitedly between points.

Dance is another great activity to increase movement in the school day. Dances can be displayed on a screen for students to copy, or you may like to engage a professional instructor to lead the session. Students may also wish to choreograph their own dances to share with their peers.

For a simple lunchtime exercise break, handball has been loved by children for generations. Set up courts around your school and encourage ākonga to get involved.

Collaborating to boost school sport engagement

Engaging external providers to facilitate sporting activities for your tamariki can boost engagement. Specialist coaching sessions for school teams, after school activities for interested students, and programmes built-in to PE lessons can all be organised. Often, external providers will bring all of the equipment needed to run an in-school sport session. This means your school won’t have to invest in extra equipment to make school sport fun.

Aktive believes working towards embedding wellbeing frameworks into a school strategic plan provides a strong foundation to build on. Consideration can then be given to relevant school policies; how school values are reflected through physical activity; and what is effective and feasible in a specific school community.

Aktive partners with CLM Community Sport, Harbour Sport, Sport Auckland and Sport Waitākere to support primary, intermediate, secondary schools and Kura Māori to create active school environments through quality sport, play, active recreation and physical activity opportunities for tamariki and rangatahi. Aktive also partners with College Sport Auckland to support quality secondary school sport opportunities.

The wider team works with schools wanting to utilise physical activity opportunities for students to enhance positive outcomes. This may include guidance around quality experiences and environments; engagement and participation knowledge; community access and links; and funding support.

Kelly Sports partners with schools to enhance student engagement in physical activity and sports by offering tailored programmes that cater to various age groups and skill levels. Through school-based initiatives, Kelly Sports provides expert coaching, structured sports sessions, and extracurricular activities designed to spark interest in various sports. These programmes aim to build foundational skills, promote teamwork, and encourage lifelong physical activity.

By working closely with schools, Kelly Sports delivers flexible, high-quality sports education that complements the school’s curriculum. The team can offer after-school sports clubs, lunchtime activities, and special events such as sports days or tournaments. Their coaches are trained to adapt sessions to suit the needs of students, ensuring both enjoyment and skill development.

This collaboration helps schools foster a positive sports culture and supports students in gaining confidence, improving their fitness levels, and learning valuable life skills such as resilience and cooperation. Ultimately, Kelly Sports helps to create an inclusive environment where children of all abilities can experience the benefits of sport, both physically and socially.

The team at Edsports know that a strong school sports programme starts with the right equipment. By providing top-quality gear to schools, Edsports helps students engage in sports, stay active, and develop valuable life skills.

Understanding that limited resources can hinder participation, Edsports offers budget-friendly solutions, bulk discounts, and expert advice to make sports accessible to all. From durable equipment to sports goals, Edsports supply everything needed to foster a love for physical activity, helping you create dynamic and inclusive programmes where every student can thrive.

Edsports has been working with NZ schools for more than 20 years and stand behind their products in the school environment. They are proud sponsors of the Hawkes Bay, Central Plateau and Waikato Principals Associations, the NZSSSC National School Sport Conference 2024, Toa Whakaihuwaka Sports Festival 2024, plus many more school and sports conferences throughout New Zealand.

Sports have the power to transform students’ lives, building confidence, teamwork, and resilience. Join the Edsports team in championing student participation to get kids moving, learning, and excelling—on and off the field.

In 2022, New Zealand Football conducted a comprehensive review of secondary school-aged football. This review engaged over 3700 players, parents, coaches, administrators, and officials.

Football is the largest team participation sport in Aotearoa New Zealand, and school football and futsal programmes play a vital role in the growth of the game. To ensure the game continues to evolve and grow, it is crucial that football remains dynamic and seeks opportunities for improvement.

In 2024, more than 170,000 players were registered for football and futsal across the country, with approximately 20 percent (33,814) participating through school programmes in partnership with New Zealand Secondary Schools. This represents a 13 percent increase in school participation compared to 2023.

The review not only highlighted the strong passion for the game within schools but also provided a series of recommendations, many of which have already been implemented or are in progress. These recommendations include emphasising the potential value of playing in both club and school environments, promoting futsal as a key school participation sport, and increasing focus and investment in female players, coaches, referees, and administrators.

Football and futsal continue to thrive across Aotearoa, and school programmes will remain a key avenue for players to access and enjoy the game.

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