Youth sport expert to speak at Connections 2011

Media Release

14 April 2011

Youth sport expert to speak at Connections 2011

A globally respected expert on young people in sport will be in New Zealand this week to offer the sport sector advice on how to keep more Kiwi kids involved in sport and recreation.

Lecturer and Author Bob Bigelow, from the United States, will be the keynote speaker at Connections 2011 – the conference for the New Zealand sport and recreation sector, organised by Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC). The theme for this year’s conference is young people.

Bigelow, who previously enjoyed an NBA career with teams including the Kansas City Kings and the Boston Celtics, has been named one of the ‘100 Most Influential Sports Educators’ by the Institute for International Sport at the University of Rhode Island.

Bigelow says there are many reasons young people drop out of sport and recreation programmes, including a lack of encouragement and unrealistic adult expectations. He says the pressure to specialise in one sport early on can also be a deterrent for some young people.

SPARC Chief Executive Peter Miskimmin says getting more Kiwi kids involved in organised sport, and then keeping them involved, is a high priority for SPARC. He says the Government’s KiwiSport initiative, launched in 2009, will see $82 million invested in sports opportunities for school-aged children over the next four years.

“We want kids to develop that life-long love of sport, and Bob has some great ideas on how we go about that,” he said.

“Children learn important life lessons through sport - self-confidence, social interaction, fair play, how to win and lose, leadership and plenty more. But there are many who don’t go on to play sport in college or after leaving school. We need to overcome the obstacles that divert kids away from sport,” he said.

Bigelow is joined on the Connections speaking programme by Avril Henry, author of The Who What When and Y of Generation WhY? Henry, recognised as one of Australia’s most inspiring business women, will provide insights into the different
attributes and characteristics of different generations, and advice on how to be youth-smart.

Connections 2011 is being held at the Heritage Auckland on Monday April 18 and Tuesday April 19. The programme also includes the annual New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards, being held at the Heritage Auckland on Monday night. The awards recognise individuals and organisations throughout the country that are making outstanding contributions to the sport and recreation sector.

ENDS

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