Active bodies, active minds: Making school sports accessible and enjoyable for all

Sports form a huge part of the school experience for many students, and their value is well-recognised and researched.

As well as increased physical wellness and reduced risk of multiple health complications, sport impacts positively on mental health and overall wellbeing. Research has found that secondary students who participate in sports have higher attendance, academic performance and behaviour outcomes than their non-participating peers.

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While the benefits of sport are universal, the barriers that many students face to accessing them are varied. Cost is, of course, a factor in an increasingly squeezed economy, especially where families may have multiple children. The combination of transport, equipment, uniforms and coaching fees can be prohibitive. 

Accessibility is also an issue for many families, especially in rural areas; sports which pique students’ interests and are delivered at the right level for them may not always be available. This is particularly true for students with disabilities, where providers offering accessible sports can struggle to find coaches and make up numbers for teams.

There are solutions to helping students get involved. To help with access to after-school sports, there are several organisations and charities that subsidise uniforms, equipment, coaching and even food for students in need. 

Building physical activity into the school day is the most surefire way to ensure students are moving, whether it’s through short movement breaks or more frequent sports or exercise opportunities. Offering a range of opportunities can help students find new sports and sustain interest in more reluctant participants.

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Options could vary from traditional team sports to more individual-focused sports such as running and athletics, as well as yoga, dance and tai-chi. Teachers and coaches sharing the sports and activities that they are passionate about outside of school can open up new possibilities to students, as well as providing a great bonding experience.

Engaging the experts

If navigating embedding more physical activity into and around the school day feels like a challenge, there are organisations that can work with schools to help them engage and excite students. 

Aktive, alongside CLM Community Sport, Harbour Sport, Sport Auckland, and Sport Waitākere, partners with schools to create active environments through quality sport, play, and recreation opportunities. They also work with College Sport Auckland to strengthen secondary school sport and improve the quality of experiences and opportunities for young people.

Quality physical activity isn’t just about movement—it’s a proven driver of improved learning, engagement, and wellbeing for students. As leaders shaping the future of education, the question is: how can schools harness this opportunity? Working with Aktive, schools can deliberately include play and movement-based learning to foster engagement, resilience, and achievement—outcomes every school strives for.

The team at Aktive believe embedding wellbeing frameworks into strategic plans creates a strong foundation for success. From there, aligning policies and values with practical, community-focused approaches ensures impact. With new strategic plans rolling out in 2026 and 2027, now is the time for senior leadership and boards to champion physical activity as a catalyst for better educational outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi.

Aktive encourages schools to commit to this with active pedagogies, dynamic environments, and teaching and learning programme design that integrates movement. 

The wider Aktive team provides expert guidance on participation strategies, quality experiences, community links, and funding support—helping schools turn physical activity into a strategic advantage for student success.

Kelly Sports works in partnership with schools to boost student engagement in sport and physical activity by delivering fun, inclusive, and high-quality programmes that align with each school’s values and curriculum goals. Their approach is centred on creating positive experiences that build confidence, encourage participation, and foster a lifelong love of movement.

The team collaborate closely with school leadership and teachers to understand their needs, schedules, and student demographics. This allows the team to design flexible programmes that complement the school day, whether through curriculum-based physical education, after-school programmes, lunchtime activities, or whole-school events such as sports days and activity festivals. All sessions are structured yet fun, ensuring students of all abilities feel supported and motivated to take part.

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Kelly Sports coaches are carefully recruited and trained to deliver age-appropriate, engaging sessions. Coaches act as positive role models, creating safe and encouraging environments where students feel comfortable trying new activities and developing their skills. Their programmes emphasise participation over performance, helping to engage students who may be less confident or less active. 

Kelly Sports also supports schools by reducing the workload on teachers. Programme planning, equipment, delivery, and health and safety requirements, are all handled by the Kelly Sports team, allowing teachers to focus on their core teaching responsibilities. 

Through consistent delivery, strong communication, and a shared commitment to student wellbeing, Kelly Sports helps schools increase participation in physical activity, improve engagement in sport, and support the physical, social, and emotional development of their students.