You’re invited to the first New Zealand Teachers’ Games

Issue: Volume 96, Number 12

Posted: 10 July 2017
Reference #: 1H9dVD

A special new event will bring teachers together to play sport for fun, fitness and wellbeing.
The organisers of the inaugural New Zealand Teachers’ Games invite you to the Bay of Plenty to take part, whether you play sport seriously or socially (or both).

Teachers are encouraged to get sporty this spring.

The New Zealand Teachers’ Games present an opportunity for all teachers and support staff to have some fun with their colleagues and compete in a wide range of sports.

The inaugural event will run in the term 3 holidays, from 1–3 October and welcomes teachers of all sporting abilities and fitness levels to take part.

Organised by the New Zealand Secondary Schools Sport Council (NZSSSC) and inspired by a much-loved and long-running event in Australia, the New Zealand Teachers’ Games will take place in the beautiful Bay of Plenty region.

NZSSSC executive director Garry Carnachan says the event provides an exciting opportunity for teachers and support staff to have some fun with their colleagues, to compete seriously or socially and to enjoy each other’s company on and off the sports field.

“Everyone on the school payroll is invited – teachers and support staff,” he says.

“With options for all levels of ability, fitness and competitiveness, social and sporting activities, the NZTG has something for everyone. It’s a real opportunity for teachers to spend some quality time with their colleagues, and to network with other teachers and enjoy all the benefits that sport has to offer them.”

Sport is a big part of the educational landscape in New Zealand, says Garry, and has the ability to develop school culture and pride not just for students but the wider school community.

As such, the event aims to spark or rekindle a love for sport among teachers, for their own wellbeing, and that of their students.

From spikeball to squash

On offer is a diverse range of activities, from tried-and-true sports like golf, volleyball and basketball to those with a recent surge in popularity, such as stand-up paddleboarding and futsal.

Runners are also well-catered for: join the Round the Mount Relay with your colleagues, or, if you’re after something more serious, vie for the title of New Zealand’s Fastest Teacher or King/Queen of the Mount.

Sport Bay of Plenty is delivering the programme at the New Zealand Teachers’ Games. Manager Megan Cleverley says her role is to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

“We’re taking care of the logistics of the event – we want everyone to have a high-quality experience.

“It’s about introducing new things to the teachers and inspiring them to try new things with their kids. Teachers can’t introduce new games to their students if they don’t know about them, so trying something new is an important part of the event,” she says.

That support will follow the teachers back home – Sport Bay of Plenty is just one of the regional sporting trusts across the country who will be available for ongoing PLD and advice after the event.

“It’s not just about participating here at the event, but also ongoing learning in the future,” she says.

“We’re here to help – we want to help people be active.

“Some teachers in this region are getting quite competitive actually,” she laughs. “They want to take the medals back home to show their students how it’s done!”

Fun and friendship

Onslow College principal and NZSSSC chairperson Peter Leggat says the event will largely be about fun and friendship.

A keen sportsman himself, Peter is looking forward to a few rounds of golf against fellow teachers.

“It will be a non-threatening environment where everyone’s encouraged to give it a go,” he says.

“The Bay of Plenty area is perfectly situated for this event. The climate is good, it’s beautiful and the infrastructure is there from similar events held each year. We’re hoping to get a good uptake from teachers.”

“Anything we can do to look after the wellbeing of our teachers looks after our students too.”

NZTG partners

The New Zealand Teachers’ Games are a joint effort between NZSSSC (in a governance and leadership role) and Sport Bay of Plenty (as delivery partner). The teacher unions NZEI and PPTA are investment partners and will be a positive presence at the event.

Various commercial partners have also donated time and resources to the initiative. 

Next steps

To find out more about the event and to register, visit:

For further information, you can contact Garry Carnachan at ceo@nzsssc.org.nz or on 027 563 8000.

BY Education Gazette editors
Education Gazette | Tukutuku Kōrero, reporter@edgazette.govt.nz

Posted: 6:00 am, 10 July 2017

Get new listings like these in your email
Set up email alerts