Sport New Zealand welcomes impending resumption of play, recreation and sport

Sport New Zealand has advised that it looks forward to play, active recreation and sport resuming across the country as the New Zealand Government’s COVID easing traffic light system is rolled out.

While restrictions will still apply in the red and orange settings, the COVID-19 Protection Framework (CPF) will give New Zealanders greater freedom to return to physical activity and reconnect with whanau and teammates, especially those in Auckland.

Advising that the sport and recreation sector may take time to adjust to the CPF, Sport NZ Chief Executive, Raelene Castle (pictured below) stated “we are aware this may still be a challenging environment for many in our sector as the country moves into the new settings, but it will be great to see Kiwis who have waited a long time get back to their passions.

“We encourage everyone to work together to ensure the successful return of sport and recreation under the traffic light system.”

Under all settings, outdoor parks, fields and playgrounds can now open, along with public facilities. Most sport and recreation can be played, whether under gatherings or events guidelines, and organisers will need to decide if vaccine passes are required or not.

Sharing her concern that alert level restrictions have prompted a decline in physical activity levels, Castle noted “tamariki and rangatahi (children and youth) have been most affected due to the closure of schools and clubs and facilities. Motivation levels and confidence have also dropped for young New Zealanders unable to take part. Time is needed to see whether participation returns to pre-pandemic levels.”

New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive David White says the resumption of community sport under the CPF is a significant step forward for grassroots New Zealand.

White added “it’s terrific to see sport returning within the safety of the CPF, so that boys and girls, mums and dads, and people from all walks of life, can get back to enjoying it on a regular basis.

“The activity and exercise, the opportunity to meet and share, and, not least, the ability to get out of the house and have some fun, makes this an important time.”

Athletics NZ Chief Executive Pete Pfitzinger says they are delighted their sport can fully resume in time for the summer season and their community can enjoy all the benefits that will bring, going on to say “the launch of the traffic light system will offer welcome clarity to all within our sport that not only will events re-start but that they can do so safely.”

Click here to view the New Zealand Government’s guidance for the play, recreation and sport sector.

For more information on sport and the CPF go to the Sport NZ website at www.sportnz.org.nz