Manurewa Rugby League Club is using sport to promote crucial educational teamwork, reports Rowena Orejana.
Jordan Maoe changes into his shoes and sprints off with the ball to the left of Randwick Park. His mate runs after him.
This is play, but it's serious play. His wiry body leans to one side, then the other, as he tries to keep his mate away from the ball.
Both boys attend Randwick Park School, where Manurewa Rugby League Club is building a team in its "Learning for Life'' programme with the Ministry of Education.
"We are building teams within schools so we can develop networks with the parents in these communities,'' says Alan Johnson, the club's executive member. "The idea is to use the connection that we have with the parents to try and get them involved in their children's education.''
The idea for Learning from Life came from New Zealand Rugby League, formed around its new motto: "More than just a game''.
"They see rugby league as a way of life, as a set of values for people, and that they want to encourage values in life,'' explains Mr Johnson. "For example, parents engaged in their kids' education. They want good family values as part of the culture they are trying to build around rugby league.''
Conrad Herewiri, Education Ministry senior adviser, says the ties have been made with the club because its huge number of members means more parents can be reached.
"Research shows that if parents are more involved in a child's education, the child would be more successful,'' says Mr Herewiri.
He says the programme itself is about parental engagement within the Maori and Pacifica groups and the first meeting with the parents is to find out what they'd like to know about their child's education.
"If they understand the educational system, then they would be able to support their child more,'' he explains. "Maybe they have younger children and they'll learn that they should put them in early childhood education. Maybe they have older children and they will understand what secondary education is all about.''
Watching his son is Laki Maoe, Jordan's father. "He really likes rugby. He started last year,'' he says.
As Mr Maoe speaks, more parents arrive at the park with their children, all eager to become members of the newly formed rugby league team.
Mr Johnson says the club hopes to build 25 teams in six schools. The firstparents'meeting will be held at Manurewa Sports Centre on Tuesday, March 29.
"We're using rugby league as the vehicle because more of the parents are engaged in their kids' sport than they are in their kids' school. I think they feel less intimidated by the sports field and the club team environment.''
The spirit is willing
"There's no playing field here,'' says Mr Johnson. "Most of this is grass; it's poorly drained, it's not flat, it's not good at all.''
The club is asking the local board to provide a sports field at Randwick Park. He thinks the prospects look good.
The board is looking at putting in a preschool centre and, possibly, a community centre with changing rooms at the end of the park.
"We are asking them to think about providing a sports field here,'' Mr Johnson says, "and, if they did that, that rugby league be part of it.''
A play for parents
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