Local KiwiSport programme wins national excellence award

A regional KiwiSport programme funded by Sport Wellington and led by Hutt City Council has received a top recreation award.

The Wellington Region KiwiSport Fundamental Movement Skills Project received the 2014 New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) Outstanding Community Recreation Programme award for ‘excellence, innovation and effectiveness’ in significantly increasing movement skills of school students.

The project improves basic or fundamental movement skills, and provides a good grounding for all physical activity in primary-aged children over eight weeks.

It is Sport Wellington’s largest investment in terms of its projects. More than $2 million has been allocated to this regional project since 2010, delivering sport to more than 93,000 kids. Last year alone, about 26,600 students participated in one or more of the four programmes on offer; moveMprove, Get Set Go, Football, and Swimming; up from 24,000 in 2012, 14,000 in 2011 and 3,000 in 2010.

Mike Mercer, Hutt City Council’s Sport and Recreation Manager, accepted the award at the New Zealand Recreation Association’s national conference in Christchurch on November 27.

“The award is recognition of five years of hard work. The people on the ground delivering it are experts in their fields,” Mr Mercer said.

Satisfaction from schools has been high, with 90.7 percent of surveyed teachers stating that programme outcomes were ‘very successful’ or ‘extremely successful’, with every teacher stating that their students had ‘improved skills’ or ‘greatly improved skills’ as a result of participation.

Sport Wellington’s KiwiSport manager Peter Woodman–Aldridge says getting the award ahead of other top projects is ‘significant,’ and recognises that it provides children with the confidentially to engage in sporting opportunities.

“One of the best things is that it has been recognised; the Fundamental Movement Skills Project brings together numerous partners like councils, national sporting bodies, local clubs, private sports providers and schools, with the aim of enabling children to participate effectively in sport and active recreation later in life”.

“It also aims to support professional development of teachers and volunteers to ensure sustainability” Peter adds.

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