Off the streets and into sport

League player and local legend Ruben Wiki will be at the opening. Photo / Dean Purcell

John Walker Free sports and activity days in Manukau City will look to get youth off the streets and on to a sports field.

The initiative - dubbed AMP'd - starts tomorrow, under the John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation.

Youngsters aged 11 to 17 will be given a chance to participate in various sports and recreational activities - including rugby league, touch rugby, ultimate frisbee, tennis, athletics, skateboarding and team-building activities - at parks throughout Manukau City.

Free food and prizes will be given.

Members of the Manukau Leisure Services and Counties Manukau Active group will initially run the games three days a week.

Manurewa councillor John Walker says offering sports to youngsters will mean less trouble in the area.

"We're putting something in place of having nothing to do after school. They're just hanging around the streets - this will keep them out of trouble, keep them fit and develop leadership."

The Dream project was started last May in a bid to get all children in South Auckland participating in sport. Already, in one of the programmes, more than 6000 year 3 pupils have had free swimming lessons.

Manukau City Council's manager of community policy and planning, David Tucker, says AMP'd looks to attract those youngsters who are not necessarily interested in organised sport.

"It's less formal - not the ordinary weekly sports coaching session - it's based around participation and having fun."

He says AMP'd is a move to create future leaders and get youth excited about sport rather than antisocial activities.

Those who attend the AMP'd days - which run from 3.30pm to 6pm during the week and 2pm to 6pm on Saturdays - will also have the chance to be part of a youth team building programme.

Youngsters showing sporting talent or leadership qualities will be selected to attend an outdoor team-building event, where they will take part in kayaking, sailing, rock climbing and mountain biking.

Up to 200 youngsters will be at Jellicoe Park in Manurewa tomorrow, where league legend and local boy Ruben Wiki will attend.

Many of New Zealand's sporting legends come from South Auckland, and Mr Walker believes emphasising the success of local sporting icons is another way to inspire youngsters.