Recently 20 female youth aged between 12 – 15 from throughout Northland came together and competed at the New Zealand Māori Rugby League Rangatahi Tournament under Nga Puhi Ahi, supported by Rugby League Northland (RLN). 

Leading up to the tournament all players were involved in a programme which not only covered skills and fitness, but also Tikanga, Karakia, Kapa Haka, Te Reo, Taioranga and Hauora Hinegaro.. 

Nga Puhi Ahi engaged with multiple locals to help facilitate and foster the youths learning journey.

It was decided it was important to understand and capture the youth’s thoughts and experience to help change and/or re-design future programmes.

Valarie Uilou, from Rugby League Northland, collaborated with another Regional Sports Organisation on questions that she could ask all 20 players.  She decided the easiest way to ask the youth was to write the questions on some paper, give each youth post-it notes and pens and let them go for it with no adult input. 

There was no resistance to participating in the survey and whilst it went on, there was plenty of laughter, interaction and it only took 30 minutes.

There were five questions asked and the key themes and words that repeatedly came out and were mentioned was ‘have fun’.

From gathering these insights, it demonstrates how youth can share their thoughts and understanding of a programme or activity they are involved in and how their experience is often different to what adults see or may view as important.

RLN, Valerie says ‘if the players don’t have a good experience, they will leave that particular sport or physical activity, therefore we need to ensure a quality experience is being offered and asking them can help organisations understand’.

This exercise will now be a regular part of any future player participant programmes that involve youth for Rugby League Northland.