'Future of Rangatahi Sport in NZ' Research - What Do Rangatahi Want from Sport?

27 February 2023

What do young people want in a coach? 

• A mentor – someone who connects with players and understands the individual. 
• Someone who has a passion for the sport. 
• Someone who is personally invested – they want to be there; they show up to training on time. 

• They are positive and give constructive feedback to get the best out of people. 
• Understands players strengths and weaknesses and help to work with these.  
• Doesn’t pick favourites, invests in the whole team. 

A perceived lack of fairness can take away the enjoyment of playing. Young people have an acute sense of fairness. This was especially a barrier amongst girls. 

Seeing others being chosen for the top teams or are given playing time because they have connections to the coach (often either a parent or teacher), rather than their skills, leads to a loss of motivation.    

What do young people want from a supporter? 

• They want positive reinforcement and support – both cheering from the side-lines (positive only) and positive support after the game with comments like, 'you did well today'.  
• Providing practical support – buying equipment and providing transport to the games. 
• Giving encouragement and motivation to keep going with the sport – yes, they do care what their parents/caregivers think and they need your support to stay involved. 
• Understand the intention of the game - and that it isn’t always about winning. 

• Rangatahi don't want their game critiqued or to hear advice on how to play the game – particularly if this conflicts with what is being said by the coach. 

They know if they haven’t played their best or have made mistakes, they don’t need it to be pointed out to them, a lot of rangatahi are their own worst critics!  

Read our next RSU for insights into how many rangatahi experience pressure to perform that leads to a sense of overwhelm and what you can do to support them.