"Sport NZ works with the sector to provide quality experiences in sport for all tamariki and rangatahi (young people aged 6-19), including for those who enjoy competition as well as those who just want to have fun."
Schools, school children, their sport coaches and administrators are key recipients of the programme delivered in Whanganui fittingly by former notable schoolboy athlete Harry Unsworth.
Unsworth was a talented runner on the athletics track, a fine cricketer and a more than capable rugby player in the 1st XV at Whanganui Collegiate during his high school years.
He has since returned to playing rugby for Kaierau and coaches rugby at Collegiate.
"It is about young people staying involved in sport for life and realising their potential at the right time," he said.
"The Balance is Better philosophy has been developed by the New Zealand sport system to support the culture change needed to provide quality sport opportunities for tamariki and rangatahi. Sport NZ's current focus is on rangatahi, given the decline we are seeing in teenage participation."
One of Whanganui's longer standing coaches, Alec McNab, said he was confident that tools and safety nets were in place to spot and resolve issues that may arise from pressure put on young athletes.
McNab has coached mainly track and field athletes since arriving from Great Britain in the 1970s. His main role has been coaching Collegiate School track athletes.
"There are many factors that cause pressure and I have to say Covid-19 has played a huge part in recent times," McNab said.
"Athletes of all ages are anxious about the uncertainty of when or if they will compete following the many cancellations and postponements the pandemic has caused.
"Younger athletes are less able to appreciate that fitness gains now can benefit longer term even if activities in the nearer future get cancelled.
And it especially hard for students in senior years preparing for their last secondary school events.
"Many younger athletes have done well in lockdown as they have been free of the restraints of their normal school programmes and doing some exercise is a real boredom breaker. Others have found motivation hard without friends to train with or regular encouragement and the occasional push from coaches."
Lucas Martin, a 17-year-old walk athlete and student at Collegiate, has excelled since joining the sport by accident.
"When I was about 14 I went to enter the around the bridges event in Whanganui and soon discovered on arrival that the walkers went first and finished first, so I entered the walk and just followed the guy in front and copied him," Martin said.
"I did wilt, but finished second and discovered I liked the sport. I'm lucky though and have been blessed by the support around me, from my new coach Mark Harris who lives in Masterton, to the school, McNab, all my other coaches since I began and even my school mates, most of who also train.
"Each of them have helped in their own way whenever potential problems have arisen," Martin said.
