Sport & Human Movement Research

Researchers: Will Roberts and Dr Robert Townsend

The ‘Re:Play’ project is a research-led programme designed to support coaches in creating positive environments for children to enjoy sport, and to learn, develop and succeed through sport.

In collaboration with Sport Waikato and the University of Newcastle, Australia, the project team has been running a pilot project to understand how we might best train beginner coaches to support young people’s engagement with sport. We are examining the associations between sampling (play) and diversification (coach led instruction) to understand how young people best interact with opportunities in sport and physical activity to develop the confidence, competence and motivation to continue being active throughout their life.

A key aim of the project is to increase the quality and inclusiveness of coaching practice in a variety of settings through a three-phase project:

1. Feasibility study: Reporting barriers and facilitators for children and their whanau in accessing community-based sport and physical activity in Waikato
2. Coach education: The development of a coaching support package that supports children’s play
3. Club development: The longer-term goal of the broader project is the development of a multisport, multi-partner community club.