The power of sport for care-experienced young people
The power of sport for care-experienced young people
Imagine a future where every child in care feels connected, confident and empowered. This is the vision behind a groundbreaking report that explores how sport and physical activity can be powerful tools for change in the lives of care-experienced tamariki and rangatahi in Aotearoa New Zealand. This report is a roadmap for change.
Why this matters
Children and young people in care can face some of the toughest challenges in our society – trauma, instability, disconnection and systemic inequities. These experiences can lead to poor health, lower educational outcomes and even incarceration.
But there’s hope. Research shows that physical activity can significantly improve wellbeing, help build resilience and strengthen a sense of belonging in young people – all essential ingredients for a brighter future.
But care-experienced tamariki and rangatahi often miss out of the benefits of being active. Barriers like inconsistent policies, lack of funding and limited access to inclusive programmes mean that physical activity is often seen as a luxury, not a right.
This report, led by Sport NZ in partnership with key organisations including Sport Canterbury and Healthy Families Ōtautahi, builds on previous initiatives and collaborations with Oranga Tamariki, Regional Sports Trusts, and local community groups.
What the report reveals
1. The power of movement
Physical activity isn’t just about fitness – it’s about healing, connection and opportunity. For care-experienced young people, it can:
- reduce the risk of negative life outcomes
- improve mental health and social skills
- increase school engagement and achievement
- build community connections
- provide joy, strengthen identity and enhance mana.
2. The barriers are real
Although the benefits are clear, opportunities for physical activity are not equally available to everyone. This report looks at the underlying factors contributing to inequitable access to physical activity.
- Policy to practice gaps: Existing regulations like Care Standard 34, which stipulates support for play, recreation and community activities for children in care, are underutilised and poorly understood.
- Training gaps: Many providers lack the skills to support care-experienced youth to take part in physical activity opportunities.
- Funding issues: Physical activity programmes often miss the mark due to rigid or misaligned funding.
- Fragmented systems: Agencies and physical activity providers operate in silos, missing opportunities to help tamariki in care be active in ways that support their wellbeing.
- Power imbalance: Young people rarely have a say in the physical activity programmes they get the chance to be involved in.
A systems approach to change
Using the ‘Six Conditions of Systems Change’ framework, the report outlines 25 actionable recommendations to drive lasting impact for young people. These include:
- embedding physical activity opportunities into care policies so it’s treated as essential, not optional
- training providers to work in ways that respect young people’s cultures and life experiences, so those in care can have safe, inclusive and positive physical active experiences
- creating youth advisory panels to ensure tamariki and rangatahi shape their own physical activity experiences
- strengthening partnerships between care providers, iwi and physical activity organisations
- shifting public narratives to celebrate the resilience and potential of care-experienced youth.
Who needs to act?
Change requires collective responsibility. The report calls on:
- Sport NZ to lead by example – using our national platform, partnerships and influence to drive systemic change, champion inclusive practice and embed the needs of tamariki and rangatahi in care across the play, active recreation and sport system.
- Regional Sports Trusts to lead regional collaboration, championing local solutions that prioritise equity and inclusion, which enable tamariki and rangatahi in care to participate in quality physical activity.
- Government and funders to prioritise investment in inclusive, community-led initiatives.
- Care agencies to embed physical activity into care plans and support caregivers to access, enable or provide those quality physical activity opportunities.
- Physical activity providers to commit to inclusive, trauma-informed practices.
- Communities and whānau to advocate for and support quality physical experiences for tamariki and rangatahi in care.
- Leaders, practitioners and caregivers to create safe, supportive environments where tamariki and rangatahi in care feel heard, valued and empowered.
Final word: A call to action
This is more than a report – it’s an invitation to be part of a journey. Whether you’re a policymaker, coach, caregiver or community leader, you have a role to play in supporting care-experienced tamariki and rangatahi to realise their full potential.
Let’s make physical activity a right, not a privilege. Let’s build a system where every young person feels they belong.
