Sport played an important role for children in their physiological and social development, said Sport Bay of Plenty school sport team leader Ariki Tibble.
"Sport is like life in a microcosm - children are taught negotiation skills, competition and interaction," he said.
"It is a sink-or-swim situation where they are left to their own devices to develop friendships."
Physical activity at a young age helped develop the wiring of the brain, he said.
"Sport is highly successful in helping disengaged kids become better in the classroom."
Research by Sport Bay of Plenty showed more school students were getting involved in sport, while the number of teachers coaching teams was dropping, he said.
Eastlake junior soccer club member Robyn Parr said the club had 22 teams - and 180 players - registered last year.
"All of our coaches are recruited from parents of children in the team and we try to get them qualified to a minimum level to coach for a few years," she said.
Team games were important for kids to develop skills of co-ordination and co-operation, she said: "Sport can give kids a sense of achievement and a level of fitness that can lead in to other sporting codes.
"While supportive parents who help get kids into the sport, practices and on the sideline, are great to have on play days."
Ms Parr said less outgoing children were able to make their mark in a team sport.
"Shy kids develop at a different pace and it takes a lot of encouragement from parents and coaches to get them involved."
Rotorua's United Aquatic Sports swimming coach, Henk Greupink, has 56 children aged under 12 on a training programme.
"Swimming is in many ways great for the development of the kid, mentally and physically, as they are being challenged as an individual as well as part of a group," he said.
"The children are confronted with many skills and exercises as well as setting goals and achieving."
Parents needed to support their children totally - "no more, no less", he said.
"At a young age we encourage swimming with a twist of fun and without intense pressure.
"Parents play an important part by giving the kids support and positive encouragement."
There was a lot of "shyness" involved in swimming, he said.
"We make kids part of a group, mix them with others and sometimes have older swimmers look after them," he said.
