‘Activate Maraenui, Activate Camberley’ was a three-year programme supported by Sport Hawke’s Bay to develop sustainable physical activity in two Hawke’s Bay urban communities through the training and mentoring of leaders and the delivery of sporting and other events. Professor Bob Marshall and Dr Anne Hiha from EIT were contracted to evaluate the programme and regularly report on its progress. When the programme was completed in 2015 it was deemed a success, having provided a welcome boost to the Camberley and Maraenui communities. In addition, each community had developed a sustainable hub to help keep its members active.
In Maraenui, the hub is a recognised and respected group of Maraenui Motivators who took on administrative responsibility for the Maraenui Community Groups’ monthly calendar, providing a reference for groups planning events and providing information for the Maraenui community. Maraenui now has a network of leaders from within the ranks of the Maraenui Motivators but also from other community groups and organisations.
The hub in Camberley is the newly enlivened Camberley Community Sports Club, which was incorporated in 2014. Recognised leaders in Camberley have developed their leadership capabilities and support active lifestyles in their community through involvement with this sports club.
As part of the ‘Activate Maraenui, Activate Camberley’ programme new sports coaches were trained and accredited, regular sporting events and other activities were held, and a dedicated group of locals in each community undertook to be responsible for running activities and projects. For example, in Maraenui the ‘Stay at Home Mums’ waka ama crew qualified as coaches and now coach in local schools. The Camberley Community Sports Club organised coaching clinics that increased the number of coaches in netball and volleyball, also benefiting a number of schools. Leaders gained organisational and management skills and now independently run events. After another successful Iron Camberley Duathlon, the Iron Māori organisation has agreed to assist in the organisation of this flagship event.
Each community has made a commitment to continue with activities that encourage their residents into more active lives and increased engagement with others. At the end of the ‘Activate Maraenui, Activate Camberley’ programme both communities recognised that they cannot remain sustainable without the support of others. Maraenui Motivators are building an interactive network of groups, organisations and businesses. The Camberley Community Sports Club is committed to building a strong sports club with an effective administration that will enhance residents’ positive identification with the Camberley community. Both hubs have maintained relationships with Sport Hawke’s Bay and local council staff.
Bob Marshall PhD
Professor, Faculty of Education, Humanities & Health Sciences
e bmarshall@eit.ac.nz
Anne Hiha PhD
Researcher, Faculty of Education, Humanities & Health Sciences
e AHiha@eit.ac.nz