Meet Ashleigh – making play happen in Manawatū

When a tree at a Feilding school needed to be removed, it became an unexpected play opportunity. Through connections supported by Ashleigh Couper, the stump is being transformed into a gecko-themed nature play feature where tamariki can explore, imagine and connect with nature.

It’s one example of the impact Ashleigh has had in her first year as Regional Play Systems Lead at Sport Manawatū. By bringing together councils, community organisations and play advocates, and helping communities access funding, she's creating more opportunities for tamariki and whānau to play.

Connecting play champions

One way Ashleigh has supported these connections is by establishing regular hui with play champions from the 4 main councils in Manawatū and Sport Manawatū community connectors.

“It’s mostly facilitating spaces for council staff to come together, connect and learn from each other, and then bring in play experts to share their expertise.

One idea shared through the network is helping create a new nature play space for tamariki in Feilding, showing what can happen when people connect and learn from one another.

Following a presentation by Gisborne District Council Local Play Advocate Katie Kennedy on low-cost nature play initiatives, Feilding community connector Megan Henessey, saw the play potential in a tree stump at Manchester Street School.

With support from the Sport Manawatū Quick Release Play Fund, the tree is being transformed into a gecko-themed nature play feature in the heart of the school's sandpit. Once finished, it will give tamariki another space to play, explore, imagine and connect with the natural world.

Turning ideas into action

Ashleigh has also worked with council staff, community connectors and play leads to think differently about accessing funds for low-cost play activities.

Through collaborative workshops, participants developed play ideas based on budgets of $50, $100 or $500.

“This has been really successful. I have been able to plug the 2 Tū Manawa funds we had opening and inspire council staff and community groups to apply so we can resource these great ideas.”

One of Ashleigh’s proudest achievements has been tripling the amount distributed through the Quick Release Play Fund for Play Week initiatives in her first year.

The funding has supported projects including gaga ball pits (a dodgeball game), nature play, loose parts play, mud slides and mud kitchens. Play Week 2026 will be the starting point for many of these initiatives, which will continue beyond the week itself.

“The increase in applications has been due to many factors, including strategic communication and drawing on the skills of our wider Sport Manawatū kaimahi, who do a great job connecting with their communities.”

“I feel proud of the small role I play in all of this. Ultimately, I want all kids, including my own, to have a childhood full of play like I did. Play equity is really important to me.”

Ashleigh’s background

With a Bachelor of Health Science in Psychology and a Master of Public Health from Massey University, she began her career in community development before moving into the sport sector. There, she worked with Regional Sports Organisations on positive sideline behaviour and supportive sporting environments for rangatahi.

What excites Ashleigh most is children’s innate instinct to play.

“We don’t need to worry about that, but we need to enable the time, space and permission for them to do what comes naturally to them.”

As a parent to 2 young children, Ashleigh is well-placed to understand the value of play.

“I see play and its benefits every day … it’s been more about how this role has shaped the way I parent. I’m always thinking of ways I can enable more play for my kids.”