An initiative designed to support increased capability across the rugby league network at all levels in New Zealand

  THE OPPORTUNITY 

New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) has been given a once in a generation opportunity to improve and transform the code as part of the Government’s COVID-19 Sport Recovery Package.

Of this recovery package, Sport NZ’s ‘Strengthen and Adapt’ phase aims to help sector organisations make changes necessary to ensure they are future-proofed in order to operate successfully in the post-pandemic environment.

NZRL completed an in-depth research process involving key rugby league stakeholder groups to determine the code’s current positioning, gaps and pressure points.

Using the feedback and insights gained, NZRL created its ‘Strengthen and Adapt’ response plan, ‘Ngā Ringa Āwhina’ – an initiative designed to support increased capability across the rugby league network at all levels in New Zealand.

The kaupapa of Ngā Ringa Āwhina is ‘the helping or supportive hands’ and encapsulates the concept of working alongside Zones, Districts, Clubs and communities, as a partner, in a mana enhancing way.

THE DELIVERY

Three teams of specialists deployed into regions to upskill and develop existing personnel, support improvements at local club level, and leave resource in place for long term sustainability and support.

THE CORNERSTONES

Collaboration, respectful dialogue, and mutual accountability.

THE COLLECTIVE VISION

Thriving rugby league clubs, communities and people.

 

The four main components of Ngā Ringa Āwhina are as follows:

(1) CULTURAL AWARENESS AND LEARNING (1)

Specialist teams deliver cultural learning programmes alongside local communities, including workshops in cultural capability and treaty obligations and awareness programmes focused on minority groups such as disability, women, and girls.

(2) COMMUNITY AND WELLBEING (2)

Upskilling and educating the community, through the clubs, on topics such as physical and mental health, including nutrition, injury prevention and safety, and safeguarding of vulnerable people. The team will engage and use ambassadors and/or champions from rugby league and the community to promote programmes in clubs, linking back to the More Than a Game philosophy and the Kiwi Way.

(3) DEVELOPMENT OF THE GAME (3) 

Enhancing our connectivity, support and the capability of our coaches and match officials will improve our game and increase the positive experience of our participants. This will include developing technical, tactical and hauora skills, so our participants are given the best opportunity to thrive on and off the field.

(4) GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION (4)

This involves upskilling on governance, administration and club management, especially around funding and applying for grants to help support sustainability. This may also involve system improvements where necessary, i.e., implementing accounting functions such as Xero across all entities in the ruby league network.

NGĀ RINGA ĀWHINA STAFF

NGĀ RINGA ĀWHINA  •  National Game Development Officer
NGĀ RINGA ĀWHINA  •  National Game Development Officer
NGĀ RINGA ĀWHINA  •  National Capability Officer
NGĀ RINGA ĀWHINA  •  National Capability Officer