On Wednesday 7 July over 15 local community sport and recreation providers from 12 different organisations came together at the Southwest Baptist Church in Spreydon to connect, share ideas and hear the latest news in the sector.

The forums facilitated by Sport Canterbury’s Healthy Active Learning Community Connector’s Isaac Sutherland and Josh Sprott are held several times throughout the year and are open to anyone working in the sport and recreation space within the region.

The 15 coordinators that attended this forum represented a wide range of areas within the sector. These included: Eastern Community Sport and Rec, North Canterbury Sport and Rec, Selwyn Sports Trust, Pūkeko Centre, Kelly Sports, Youth Town, Epic Sports Project, Origin Sport, Tamai Sports, Primary Sports Canterbury, Secondary School Sport Canterbury, and the Elmwood Club.

These sessions are valued for those that work in the sports sector because they are a space where like-minds can come together to innovate and collaborate on different initiatives, events, and campaigns all in the name of creating better sport, physical activity, and recreation opportunities for our communities.

First time attendee, Bernadine Bezuidenhout founder of the Epic Sports Project said, her motivation for coming to the forum was about understanding where they can best be utilised in the sector.

 “I just want to know what’s going on in the community, where resources are being put in, where the gaps are – where we can be used.”

While Emma Vennell from the Pūkeko Centre added, “I came to learn more about the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa funding and to connect with other community recreation coordinators.”

Last week’s agenda included an opener from Secondary School Sport Canterbury’s Director, Jon Derry, an information session on Sport New Zealand’s Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa funding lead by Sport Canterbury’s General Manager - Participation Pathways, Jason Merrett, an introduction to the Mutu app from Toby Skilton, an information session on Sport Canterbury’s play trailer for hire, a showcase with Justin Cope on how handball can be adapted for different sessions and time for group discussion and connection.

The coordinators were also asked to come along with one challenge or success they have had in their space this year. This was a chance for tabling challenges that could be brainstormed together as well as to get ideas and successes from other organisations that can be introduced and implemented in other spaces.

 
To be part of the next forum please contact Isaac Sutherland - Click here