Strengthening inclusive play through collaboration

Sport Bay of Plenty and Parafed Bay of Plenty are strategically aligned in their mission to enhance opportunities for inclusive play and physical activity across our communities. This partnership recognises the importance of creating an environment where every individual, regardless of ability, has access to meaningful play experiences. Together, we aim to transform the landscape of play, active recreation and sport, ensuring that inclusivity is at the forefront of our initiatives.

The collaboration between these two organisations is solidified by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), effective as of April. This agreement is a testament to the interdependence of Sport Bay of Plenty and Parafed Bay of Plenty, enabling both to leverage their unique strengths to create a more impactful community engagement framework focused on play.

The MOU outlines several key areas of collaboration:

• Facilitating engagement between the two organisations to enhance regional opportunities
• Collaborating towards shared strategic goals that endorse the objectives of both Sport Bay of Plenty and Parafed Bay of Plenty
• Monitoring and measuring the impact of our partnership on community participation
• Sharing insights and data to inform decision-making at critical junctures including via advocacy to local councils to ensure accessibility is considered from the ground up in decision-making.

A notable manifestation of this partnership is the collaboration between Steph Reichardt, Sport Bay of Plenty’s Regional Play System Lead, and Jo Jackson, Parafed Play & Youth Lead. Together, they have launched the FLIPA program—Fun Learning through Inclusive Play Advocates. This innovative four-week in-school program is designed to enrich the play experiences of tamariki with disabilities, fostering an inclusive play culture within educational settings.

“Our collaboration with Parafed is vital for creating an environment where all children can thrive through play,” emphasises Reichardt. “We are committed to making inclusive play not just a concept, but a lived reality in our schools.”

In addition to FLIPA, the partnership has facilitated the Physical Activity Leaders (PALs) program, which empowers young leaders in Bay of Plenty schools to cultivate inclusive play environments using the STEP model (Space, Task, Equipment, and People). This initiative equips students with the skills to create engaging and adaptable play experiences for their peers.

Recently, Parafed Bay of Plenty joined forces with the Sport Bay of Plenty education team to host sessions in their play community of practice, benefiting over 20 schools and kura. Participants shared insights on adapted play equipment and learned how to effectively implement the FLIPA program, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity and enabling educators to adapt play activities to diverse student needs.

“We are excited about the possibilities our partnership offers to young people in our region,” says Jackson.

“By working together, we can truly enhance the way play is experienced by all children, regardless of their abilities.”

Schools seeking to support students with various physical needs can easily connect with Parafed Bay of Plenty through the education team, facilitating the successful implementation of the FLIPA program in numerous schools.

Through this strategic alliance, Sport Bay of Plenty and Parafed Bay of Plenty are devoted to fostering an inclusive environment where every young person can engage in play and physical activity. Our collective vision is to empower every child in our community, ensuring that the joy of play is accessible to all and that opportunities for participation are not only available but actively pursued.