'He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata he tangata, he tangata!'

Developing People. Strengthening Communities. Growing NZ Touch.


The Emerging People Programme is all about developing PEOPLE - connecting and empowering participants, provinces, and communities across Aotearoa. Through collaboration, networking and shared learning, participants gain the confidence and capability to grow, excel, and understand what it takes to succeed at every level of the sport. 

The Programme reaches over 260 emerging athletes, coaches, referees and team managers nationally, with participation growing year on year. Delivered across all four Touch NZ regions, the programme connects young people from urban centres to rural communities, fostering a truly national movement of learning, development and aspiration. 

A National Pathway for Youth Development 

The Emerging People Programme is designed for U16 players, coaches, referees and managers involved in current NZSS and youth age groups. It provides each participant with an individualised development pathway, enriching their game understanding and preparing them for success both on and off the field. 

Participants learn from experienced coaches, referees and managers, accessing insights that support their transition from grassroots participation through provincial competition and into national high-performance pathways and talent identification opportunities. 

  • Six regional workshops delivered annually

  • Over 200 athletes and over 60 coaching support team in attendance 

Regionally Led and Nationwide Connected 

The Emerging People Programme is regionally delivered, making it easy and affordable for participants from across New Zealand to join - regardless of location or background. This structure fosters nationwide connectivity and collaboration, enabling knowledge sharing across provinces and helping build stronger local touch communities. 

This inclusive approach not only develops individual capability but also strengthens the overall ecosystem of touch in New Zealand - ensuring that future athletes, leaders and officials are equipped with the skills, confidence and support to thrive. 

Who does it involve?

PLAYERS

Players will receive coaching from each region’s most experienced coaches.  With support from Pathway personnel, we will deliver workshops on fitness, required skill sets, terminology and leadership. Each player will be in a team environment; they will train alongside athletes from all over the region and learn how to implement a game plan focused on Fundamental skill development and structured game plans.  This will culminate in a Tournament against other players/teams.

REFEREES

Each Region will plan and execute a referee programme as part of the EPP.  This could include a Foundation or Development Referee course depending on the requirements of the referees attending and the individual region.   Regional and Provincial Referee directors will coordinate a programme that will help support the growth of referees and again they will get a chance to implement the skills they have learnt by refereeing the EPP Tournament.

COACHES

Coaches will be selected through a provincial nomination and from within the community coaching pathway.  All coaches must be endorsed by their province to attend. Provincial and Pathway Coaches will attend as Coach Developers, Lead Coaches and Support Coaches depending on their level of experience.  They will work alongside Regional Development Managers and Community Coaching Managers to develop a programme suitable for EPP.  All coaches will be a part of developing a plan and executing this over the weekend.  

MANAGERS

As with Coaches, Managers will also be nominated and endorsed by their Province to attend.  They may have a varying level of experience and will support the players and coaches across the day. They will work alongside an experienced Manager who will support them to understand the requirements of a Manager at a High-Performance Level.

“We have so much talent and love for the game in the rangatahi space. We are aiming for a development approach and instilling a ‘love for the game’ journey. Providing development opportunities and positive experiences for our rangatahi, coaches, referees, and management is important. Using the strengths of the regions to expand the framework is a positive step in the right direction.”

- George Jahnke, Touch NZ Community Coaching Manager