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Balance is best

Balance is Better

What is Balance is Better?

Balance is Better is an evidence-based approach. It focuses on why young people play sport: to have fun, be challenged, develop and improve, be part of a team or group, and enjoy time with friends.

Sport NZ works with the sector to provide quality sport experiences for all tamariki and rangatahi (young people aged 5 to 18), including those who enjoy competition and those who just want to have fun.

Research has identified three myths in youth sport. The Balance is Better philosophy pushes back against them, stressing that:

  1. Childhood success is not a reliable predictor of future success.
  2. Identifying athletes early and specialising early is taking its toll on young people.
  3. A focus on winning rather than development is a problem for young people, because it can affect their wellbeing and their motivation to take part.

What needs to change?

Sport NZ encourages anyone responsible for delivering youth sport to adopt the Balance is Better philosophy. That means sport leaders, coaches, administrators, teachers and parents. Everyone can make a difference by committing to:

  • Ensuring all young people can receive a quality sport experience, whatever level they play at.
  • Leading attitude and behaviour change among sport leaders, coaches, administrators, parents and caregivers in youth sport.
  • Supporting changes to competition structures, participation and athlete development opportunities.
  • Sports and schools identifying young talent later in their development, rather than sooner.
  • Reviewing representative selections and tournaments so more young people get skill development opportunities.
  • Supporting young people to take part in a range of activities and play multiple sports.
  • Raising awareness of the risks of overtraining and overloading, and managing workload.
  • Working together to encourage the widest possible change for the wellbeing and sport participation of young New Zealanders.
  • All New Zealanders having the right to take part in sport in an inclusive, fair and safe environment.

Balance is Better website: balanceisbetter.org.nz

Supported by Sport NZ, this website has tools and education for anyone involved in delivering youth sport, including articles, interviews and case studies.

Balance is Better posters

Click the image to download the posters.

What it means for Small Blacks coaches

  • Keep it fun, and measure success by whether players want to come back.
  • Give every player plenty of time with the ball and in games.
  • Praise effort and improvement, not just results.
  • Encourage players to try lots of positions, and lots of sports.