The 2022 Remarkable Games

Thirty rangatahi from Tolaga Bay Area School, Gisborne Girls High School, Ritana/Lytton High School and Campion College took part in the Remarkable Games on Thursday.

“The event was fantastic, enjoyable and well organised” Said Ritana/Lytton High School Lead Teacher Rongomaiwhiti Debbie McClutchie.

“All our students that have complex needs had so much fun. Congratulations to the organisers of such a positive, and vibrant vibe. That activity is so needed for our students. One of our students said, ‘Let’s do it again!’”

The Remarkable Games is facilitated by Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti in collaboration with sporting codes to provide our tamariki whaikaha (disability) community a safe, supportive environment where the rangatahi can be their unique selves and have some fun.

“We were stoked to be a part of the Remarkable Games, meeting new people and having fun with the rangatahi. Everyone who came, came with an awesome energy, which made the day” Said Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti Manawakura Advisor Courtney Stubbins.

The event consisted of an obstacle course, modified netball, boccia, and the highlight amongst the rangatahi was the rainbow parachute.

“This event really showcased the beauty of sport and how it can bring young people together in such a positive way. “ Said Gisborne Netball Centre Youth Development Officer Monique McLeod.

“Some basic modifications of the game enabled every young person to feel success and joy while participating. The energy in the gym was so infectious. The smiles and loud cheers, the teamwork and encouragement on court, it was sport at its best and so much fun to be a part of.”

“We really enjoyed being part of an awesome event, it’s not the activities that make it, it’s the smiles on the tamariki faces” said Regional Development Coordinator for Parafed Gisborne Tairāwhiti Louise Ellery.

2022 Titirangi Mt. Everest Challenge

The countdown is on till the 2022 Titirangi Mt. Everest Challenge kicks off for its tenth year!

Registrations open Monday 19 September, with the event starting Monday 26 September and ending on Sunday 13 November.

Last year, the iconic event of Tairāwhiti saw 1,600 participants take part in the seven-week challenge where people of all ages walk, run or cycle up Titirangi 68 times, which is the equivalent to the
height of Mount Everest. Participants can use alternative peaks like Titirangi in Uawa, D9 in Tikitiki and Manutahi in Ruatoria to complete the challenge.

“The event has a real uniqueness about it where the community come together regardless of age, gender or fitness ability to challenge themselves to reach as many climbs over the seven weeks. As the saying goes ‘It’s the journey not the destination that matters.’ The wairua, connection and physical activity of all those participating is something truly inspiring” said Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti Events Advisor Debbie Hutchings.

“We need to give special thanks to our event partners and supporters that ensure we can offer this to our community – Ngāti Oneone, Sean and Fiona Shivnan, Gisborne District Council, and Fulton Hogan for Traffic Management.”

The challenge aims to create awareness for bowel cancer. Donations received through the Challenge website will support patients and whānau in Tairāwhiti who have been affected by a bowel cancer diagnosis through the Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society.

Participants can register for the free event and download a climb conversion chart here.

2022 Spring Holiday Programme

Gisborne Netball Centre

Tuesday 4 – Wednesday 5 October

10am – 2pm

Year 5 and 6

$20

Bring snack, lunch and water bottle

Contact Cris or register online sporty.co.nz/gisbornenc

 

YMCA

Futsal

Monday 10th – Wednesday 12th October

8.30am – 3pm

Venue – TBC

$70 for two days

8 – 14 year olds

Register via MyComet

 

Central Football

Elgin School Pool

Monday 3rd – Friday 7th October $60

Monday 10th – Friday 14th October $60

Olympic Pool

Monday 3rd – Friday 7th October $60

Monday 10th – Thursday 13th October $48

Contact [email protected] or 027 375 4527

 

Gisborne Gymnastics Club

The State of Sideline Behaviour

“Wake up, what the hell are you doing?! Stop being so useless, get in there and smash them” isn’t something you would expect to hear coming from the side lines of your child’s game, but unfortunately this is the disturbing reality of the state of sideline behaviour, not only in Tairāwhiti but nationally.

Poor sideline behaviour doesn’t just start and stop at the field, court or pitch, it’s also what is said to tamariki in the car ride home. This is a prime opportunity to celebrate effort, being a team player and having a good attitude, but instead it is used as time to criticise, critique and focus on the negative.

Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti Chief Executive Stefan Pishief said, “Enough is enough.”

“Statistically, physical activity levels of tamariki and rangatahi drop off as they get older. Parental pressure and poor side line behaviour can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, aggressive behaviour, and resentment towards physical activity. Negative side line behaviour should not be underestimated, what supporters say on the side lines matters.”

Central Football Operations Manager for the Tairāwhiti region, Fletcher Stewart-Hill said “Unfortunately, all too often, we see behaviour from adults on sports sidelines that is unacceptable and extremely unhelpful to our tamariki and rangatahi. Kids want to enjoy their sport and want encouragement from the sideline, not constant instructions or advice and certainly not being told what they could do better. We are very supportive of any initiative that helps provide guidance and support to those on the sideline so that we can in turn ensure that our young players get the most enjoyment from their sport.”

As supporters, parents and role models it is important that we show our tamariki what it means to support each other so they can develop a lifelong love of sport, not because they won but because they felt connected, they showed up and tried their best.

“We understand people are passionate about their teams and their sports, but people need to take responsibility for their behaviour and language around our courts and fields. We know of players who ask parents not to come to games because they’re embarrassed by them or drop out of sport so they don’t have to tolerate it. That’s a sad position to be in. Organisations work hard to make our sportsgrounds safe spaces for all of our players, so Kia Pai Whanau!” Said Gisborne Netball Centre Manager Allisa Hall.

Referees are also at the brunt of negative sideline behaviour.

“There is an assumption by adults that young referees are not qualified or don’t know the game well enough – this is just not the case.” Said Gisborne Basketball Association Chairperson Kylie Turuwhenua-Tapsell.

“Our referees go through Basketball NZ training modules, are supported by referee developers and 9 times out of 10, it’s the supporters lack of basketball knowledge or use of outdated rules that is the issue. In my opinion it is also their fixed mental models about young people where some adults feel they can talk to a young person in a manner that they would never do with another adult”

“Please keep bringing your fantastic supporters vibes but also remember to focus on the positive and let the coach do the rest”

“Our sidelines have improved immensely” Said Poverty Bay Hockey Association Operations Manager Louise Teneti.

“However, we still have spectators that think they can coach and umpire, and yet they haven’t done either. We want to encourage our spectators to support their team and let the officials do their job!”

Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti, along with clubs and codes, have rallied together to find solutions on how to combat these side line behaviour issues.

“After experiencing unusually high instances of poor side-line behaviour at JAB rugby early on in the season, we have seen a sharp decline as the season progressed due to a number of contributing factors.” Said Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union Community Rugby Manager Ray Noble

“We changed the physical environment of our under 12 and 13 grades in terms of where coaches and subs were allowed to stand which had an immediate impact. PBRFU also enforced the JAB warning and sanction process diligently when instances cannot be solved between club delegates. This has meant there are consequences for bad behaviour.”

“With the majority of issues happening at our U12 and U13 grade. PBRFU believe that if we can lift our level of service and work with the clubs in the off season to prevent negative sideline behaviour, it will dramatically improve the quality of experience for our participants.”

Good Sports is an initiative developed by Sport New Zealand that aims to create positive sporting experiences for children by educating and supporting parents and other adult influencers in youth sport. Many issues in children’s sport stem from adult involvement. These issues include poor side-line behaviour, overuse injury, burnout and disaffection with sport – and they can hinder success on and off the field.

To keep tamariki and rangatahi engaged in sport and being active, the focus should be on the climate of development; trying over results, that mistakes are necessary for growth, effort is recognised, everyone is included, and friendship and care is encouraged. This is what Good Sports promote.

For parents/caregivers with tamariki who love their sport, and professionals working with rangatahi, Dr Craig Harrison, an internationally recognised expert in youth development, will be hosting his Making Sense of Feedback workshop at Waikanae Surf Lifesaving Club on Tuesday 2 August from 6pm. You can register for the event on Eventbrite.

“If you’re a side line parent or supporter, ask yourself: How would I feel if someone yelled at me the way I’m yelling at them? Would I want to participate, referee or coach if someone was telling me I was useless? What words of encouragement would I want to hear coming from the side line?” Said Pishief.

2022 Winter School Holiday Programme

Central Football

Monday 11 July – Thursday 14 July

9am – 3pm

Childers Road Reserve

$85 for 4 days

6 – 12 years

Register via MyComet or [email protected]

 

YMCA

Oscar School Holiday Programme

Monday 11 July – Friday 22 July

9am – 3.45pm

$45 per child per day

5 – 13 years

Register here.

 

Comet Swimming

Week 1: 11th – 14th July

Week 2: 18th – 21st July

$48 per week

4x 30-minute lessons per week

The holiday programme is a way to boost your childs swimming ability or introduce new swimmers to Learn to Swim at Elgin School pool.

Please contact Rochelle on [email protected]

 

Gymnastics Club

Week 1: Monday 11 July – Friday 15 July

Week 2: Monday 18 July – Thursday 21 July

$15 per child

Each day is a different activity; colouring in, cookie making, games, dress ups, face painting and more. Check out the schedule here.

For more information, email [email protected]

 

Poverty Bay Hockey

Tuesday 19 July – Year 3 and 4

Wednesday 20 July – Year 5 and 6

9am – 2.45pm

$40 per person per day

Registrations close Friday 8 July. Register here.

 

Gisborne Netball Centre

Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 July – Year 7 and 8 Programme

Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 July – Year 5 and 6 Programme

$20 per day

10am – 2pm

Register here.