An innovative approach to identify and overcome the barriers for non-participating students by Sport Wellington's Wairarapa team has been recognised with a New Zealand Secondary School Sports Council (NZSSSC) Innovation in Sport Award.
Sport Wellington Wairarapa, in collaboration with Chanel, Makoura and Wairarapa colleges, undertook a project to engage non-participants into school sport.
Survey results identified participant needs, barriers to sporting participation and activities that non-participants wanted to try.
A programme was then implemented to meet the needs and address the barriers, providing new opportunities in archery, 10-pin bowling and smallbore rifle shooting.
The result was that the central locations, minimal costs, friendly environments and non-competitive, high engagement opportunities resulted in a large number of new sport participants and big increases in junior club memberships in the three sports.