Touch New Zealand is one of the 10 new sports to be announced in support of the Sport New Zealand initiative that promotes “Balance is Better” in youth sports participation. Touch NZ stands alongside 14 other sports as part of the collective.

“Balance is Better” focuses on fun and development, reviewing existing competition structures and encourages youth to play multiple sports, rather than specialising early.

TNZ Chief Executive Joe Sprangers comments “Touch NZ fully endorses the philosophies behind Balance is Better which aligns and supports our Touch Junior Policy released February 2020. We see this as helping to support real change in the way we promote and encourage youth to perform in our sport.

We will go a long way in also retaining children in sport through the next stages of their lives whilst enhancing their chances of becoming lifelong lovers of sport”.

Touch NZ, along with many other NSO’s in New Zealand are responding to the evidence and encompassing a holistic approach to ensure the individuals experience is first and foremost. 

Touch NZ agrees that this strategy is the best and most effective long-term solution for our Tamariki and Rangatahi, and have crafted the Touch Junior Policy (supported with the principles of AWHI), to provide a framework for children’s participation in the game of Touch and Turbo Touch. For more head to https://www.touchnz.co.nz/Our-Programmes/Our-Tamariki

Touch is one of 10 sports, along with athletics, badminton, basketball, golf, gymnastics, rugby league, softball, volleyball and waka ama, to commit to the initiative recently. Cricket, football, hockey, netball and rugby signed up two years ago.

Raelene Castle, Sport New Zealand chief executive mentioned “we need to change what is offered and how we engage with young people”.

“There needs to be quality opportunities for all participants, not just the best players,” she said.

Click here for Sport New Zealands article. 

Article added: Wednesday 21 April 2021