Active for Life - March 2024

Kia ora koutou,

We have had an action-packed start to the year at Sport Taranaki and we are happy to share what has been happening and preview what is to come.

The Taranaki Masters Games kicks off again in March and April, with 16 codes involved across the region. There are many hurdles to adult sporting participation as family or work responsibilities can crowd in and the range of sports and games on offer are the perfect chance for you to take some time for yourself to get active in a way that suits you. The Games are for everyone of Masters age, which is set as low as 20 for swimming, and 25 for volleyball but is 30+ for most other sports. Whether you want to be competitive or social, I encourage you to take some time for yourself, perhaps grab a few mates and take on the challenge.

We were delighted to launch the Taranaki Equestrian Facilities Plan recently. This collaborative piece of work shows what is possible when groups come together for a common purpose. You can check out links to the full plan, and explainer video in this newsletter.

You can also get an insight into the important work happening around play in Taranaki with the launch of a video showing how play helps tamariki develop and grow.

A new year has brought new staff and governance changes with it – and we are delighted to introduce you to four new faces to the Sport Taranaki team and give you an insight into what drew new board chair, Rochelle Farmer, to the role.

Ngā mihi nui

Michael Carr

CEO Sport Taranaki

Taranaki Masters Games Underway

It was a Taranaki Anniversary triple header as the Taranaki Masters Games started in style with events in Inglewood, Stratford and New Plymouth.

With the support of the Taranaki Electricity Trust it is the first time the Games have returned to Taranaki since Covid-19 cancellations.

Stunning sunshine greeted athletics in Inglewood with a near record turnout of athletes across the event. While many familiar faces from local athletics fronted up, competition was further strengthened by a selection of imported talent with entrants coming from Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and Whanganui to compete. The 100m and middle-distance track events proved popular, along with the discus and hammer throw.

Spread over three days of play at the TET Multi-Sport centre in Stratford the pool competition offered a range of events to test competitors on the tables. Singles 9Ball was played on Saturday with Singles 8Ball and Doubles 8Ball played on Saturday and Sunday.

Check out all the news from the Taranaki Masters Games so far in the stories below or click on the button to visit the Masters Games homepage which has all the details of upcoming events.

Taranaki Masters Games trip...

It was a Taranaki Anniversary triple header as th...

Masters athletics a treat f...

Competitors can come for the athletics and stay f...

Pool for everyone at Master...

Sharks, beginners and everybody in between are we...

Taranaki Masters football t...

The Taranaki Masters football tournament is the p...

Taranaki Equestrian Facilities Plan

18 months ago, with funding support from the regions three councils and Sport NZ, we embarked on a journey to better understand the state of Equestrian facilities in the region. Funders and councils wanted to understand where their support could have the most benefit for everyone and there was a strong need to clarify the region's facility priorities.

In February 2024, after months of engagement with the Taranaki equestrian community and a Project Working Group, made up of equestrian representatives, the Taranaki Equestrian Facilities Plan was finalised. The work was completed by independent consultants, Visitor Solutions.

During the development of the plan, we were in touch with all 56 equine organisations in Taranaki, looking at the state of existing facilities, the riding landscape and understanding participants. Engagement was fantastic and thanks to the 501 people who responded to the survey, it helped us build a clear picture of equestrian in our region.

Today we now have a comprehensive document which clearly sets out the challenges, opportunities, and priorities for Equestrian facility provision moving forward. The plan provides a clear evidence base and series of recommendations that will be used in future when advocating for the needs of equestrian in Taranaki.

“Together we can do more and achieve better outcomes

for our participants and their horses.”

Megan Gundesen

Taranaki Equestrian Network and Project Working Group Member

The Facilities Plan has highlighted the need for Equestrian to work more closely, in partnership, towards a more sustainable future. Achieving the recommendations in the plan will take all of equestrian. As such, the Project Working Group are currently unpacking how to continue the momentum gained during the creation of the Facilities Plan.

The full Taranaki Equestrian Facilities Plan is below:

View Taranaki Equestrian Facilities Plan

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our sincere thanks to Visitor Solutions and the Project Working Group for their ongoing support and input in developing the plan. The Project Steering Group comprised of representatives from key stakeholders and the equestrian community all whom did a fantastic job: Marina Healey (Sport Taranaki), Phil Waite (South Taranaki District Council), Renee Davies (New Plymouth District Council), , Zanta Jones (Sport New Zealand), Celine Filbee, Maree Collins, Wendy Hamerton, Dale Moseley, Megan Gundesen, Zac Bingham, Emily Perrin, Sharon Robinson, Jen Blyde and Sharon Stevens. And thank you to New Plymouth District Council, South Taranaki District Council, Stratford District Council and Sport Zealand for their funding contribution to the development of the plan.

If you have any questions about the Plan or the next steps please contact one of the working group members or the Sport Taranaki representative:

Tara Fevre – Sport Taranaki / Tara.fevre@sporttaranaki.org.nz / 0273739645

New Board Chair wants everyone active

Helping everyone in the community have the chance to benefit from physical activity motivated the new chair of Sport...

Megan Hitchcock

Healthy Active Learning Advisor

Before joining the Healthy Active Learning team, Megan taught for many years at Sacred Heart Girls’ College New Plymouth in the Intermediate and Secondary School areas of Health, Physical Education and Science. She has also taught in Wellington and London. Megan is excited to join the vibrant team at Sport Taranaki to help support kaiako in the region. She aims to help empower students to make informed decisions, fostering lifelong habits around hauora, contributing to healthy active communities together.

megan.hitchcock@sporttaranaki.org.nz