Summer is a particularly great time for club sport. Warm weather and lighter nights mean more time to be outside, and team sports are a great way to stay connected with friends and classmates over the summer.

Kiwi kids love it too. Sport NZ research shows that, among kids aged 5 to 10 years, 77% of boys and 64% of girls like playing a lot of sport, while only 3% of boys and girls don't like playing any sport at all.  

"That's a really strong base, however research also tells us that adult participation has declined 7.7% over 16 years and that levels start to drop off among teenagers," says Sport NZ Young People Lead Jo Colin.

"That's why it's critical to provide quality opportunities for young people, help them find the sports and activities that they love the most and support them as parents, families, coaches and teachers so that they have the best chance to develop a life-long love of sport and recreation."

For young people, sport has to be fun, and Jo Colin says it's great to see sports adapting for kids aged 5 to 10 years to ensure this is the case.  

"Modified equipment, simplified rules, equal play, family involvement and 'have a go' opportunities - these are now commonly being used by sports to provide a fun, safe and low pressure introduction to new sports, and that's great to see."

"Kids want to have fun and feel like they belong, and when we make that possible they have the  best chance of learning, developing and loving the sport."

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