Kia ora koutou,

Important projects are on the move in Taranaki for sport, active recreation and play. The appointment of independent chair Andrew Turner to the Taranaki Facilities Consortium (TFC) has added to the momentum of this group, which is working to give free practical and strategic advice to active facility projects as well as putting them ‘on the radar’ of potential funders. If you are considering a facility project, it is important you contact the the TFC in your early planning phases. Read more about the TFC and two upcoming seminars in this newsletter.

It was a landmark decision by New Plymouth District Council to reaffirm and increase their investment in the Tūparikino Active Community Hub as part of their Long-Term Plan process. The upshot of this decision is that work on building a six-court indoor stadium, with supporting amenities, is now planned to begin in 2025. The funding decision also means there is scope for development of a much-needed turf as part of the project build. While there is still plenty of work to do, this is exciting news for our community.

Looking ahead, please keep an eye out for the opening of nominations for the 2024 Taranaki Sports Awards in late July. We are looking forward to another bumper crop of nominees.

Also take some time to dip back into a range of initiatives we've been part of over the last few months. Whether Future Champions, the Healthy Active Living Forum, Youth Week or the TET Taranaki Masters Games each has played a part in boosting our vision of Taranaki - active for life. Thanks to all our partners who work with us to make progress possible.

Ngā mihi nui

Michael Carr

CEO Sport Taranaki

LOOKING AHEAD

Taranaki Facilities Consortium (TFC)

is here to help

What is the TFC?

The TFC has nine partners; including all four councils, two key local funders and supporting organisations working to guide the development of quality sport, active recreation and play facilities in Taranaki.

What does the TFC do?

The TFC is a group that fosters collaboration, accessibility and sustainability in facility planning development and has in place a mechanism to maximise community impact from scarce funding and resources.

Why should community groups work with the TFC?

Community groups should work with the TFC to benefit from free practical and strategic advice and be ‘on the radar’ of potential funders. If you are considering a facility project, it is important you are in touch with the TFC in your early planning phases.

Where do I go for information on the TFC?

Visit the TFC website for all information and support www.tfc.net.nz

Sign up for free Facility Challenge Seminars coming up soon in South and North Taranaki.

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Green Light for Hub construction in 2025

The recent decision of New Plymouth District Council to reaffirm and increase their investment in the Tūparikino Active Community Hub is another landmark for this important community project.

It means that work on building a six-court indoor stadium, with supporting amenities, is now planned to begin in 2025. Funding in place also means there is scope for development of the much needed artificial turf.

While there is still plenty of work to do, including further fundraising and advocacy, this is exciting news for our community.

Sport Taranaki will continue working for this multi-purpose facility to be activated and governed as an important part of a regional network of facilities. The overarching vision for the Tūparikino Active Community Hub is still about a place of belonging for our community – where equitable access and wellbeing are prioritised, and where there are multiple opportunities to experience quality offerings of play, sport, recreational and cultural activity. How this is envisioned continues to be our motivating factor for this incredibly significant and transformational project.

Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa

The Ultimate Youth Experience

As part of Youth Week 2024 Sport Taranaki supported EmpowerYouth - South Taranaki to bring to life 'The Ultimate Youth Experience' for rangatahi in South Taranaki.

The event was entirely designed and delivered by young people for young people with the youth week theme of

‘Māwherangi a tama roto ka taka, kāpuia ake ka pūrangiaho.’

‘We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.’

What an incredible day seeing the creativity, dedication, and collaboration from EmpowerYouth and all the people that supported this event turn a vision into reality.

Future Champions

The Future Champions programme is up and and running for 2024!

Future Champions provides mentoring, personal development, and comprehensive workshops to assist athletes to reach their potential.

The Future Champions for 2024 are:

Bella Wansbrough (NPGHS) – Swimming
Ben James (NPBHS) – Hockey
Blake Barnard (Waitara High School)- Cue Sports
Jack Parr (NPBHS) – Wind Foiling
Freya Stolte (SHGC) - Surf Life Saving
Milly Marshall-Kirkwood (Inglewood High School) – Para Athletics
Toby O’Rorke (FDMC) – Race Walking
Zoe Parr (NPGHS) – Skiing
Poppy Barnes (NPGHS) - Water Sports

As well as this Tier 1 programme, Future Champions also includes a range of Tier 2 options open to a wider group of young athletes.

Sport Taranaki and Taranaki Secondary School Sports Association - TSSSA work together with New Plymouth Physiotherapy delivering the programme and are proud to have the support of Taranaki Foundation Coach McKean Fund to help make it all happen.

Healthy Active Ageing Forum

The Healthy Active Ageing Forum was back in New Plymouth this year.

With over 30 stalls to connect with from support services in the area as well as short informative talks, interactive displays and pickleball there was lots of fun ways to keep moving!

A big thank you to our guest speakers Richard from Age Concern Taranaki and Gill from Alzheimers Taranaki Inc and the Toi Foundation for making this possible.

If you need to keep moving as you age Strength & Balance sessions are a wonderful way to strengthen your body and freshen up your social calendar.

Find a Strength & Balance session