Sport needs a change in Government

We are now only 36 days away from the election here in Aotearoa. So I can't pretend that there's much else on my mind but politics. This last week, my team of volunteers have knocked on over 1000 doors and made nearly 2000 phone calls to try and connect with voters. I call them my team on purpose cause I am running this campaign like I would a season. Theming, player profiling, analysis, game plan. Building a culture that will leave it all on the field.

They are a championship team and I need them to be. Cause in order for sports to win in this country, we need a change in government. It's one of the reasons why Tamatha Paul was able to convince me to come out of political retirement. I'd hung up my boots in this space but it became apparent in that where I play now is under threat.

I'm dead serious about this. Perhaps it's because I'm so firmly at the intersection of where politics and sport meet that it is so apparent to me. It's a niche interest I guess, given the dire state of frankly everything. But the reality is, while sport is an escape for many, it can't escape the politics of the day.

I need you to think about the policy developments that this current government has released for sport in this term. There's only been one major shift and it was an appeal to the bad faith actors of the anti-trans lobby.

Mark Mitchell ordered the removal of the community guidelines for the participation of trans people in community sport because of National's promise to New Zealand First. Nevermind that this guidance was created in response to concerns from sporting organisations. Designed by a thorough collaborative process then instituted to much relief and very little fuss. Except of course, for those trying to win votes at the expense of those they'll never represent.

Having "saved" women's sport, they've promptly forgotten all about us. Whereas the last government was transformational for women across codes.

You'll hear that there's no difference between National and Labour led governments but their moves in sport suggests otherwise. Any question of competing priorities are moot when you consider that Grant Robertson was the Minster of Finance during COVID and still managed to deliver game changing policy as the Minister of Sport.

The last governments achievements include but are not limited to:
- Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa. A fund focused on supporting less active groups, including girls and young women, and disabled people. It also has a dedicated kaupapa Māori pathway, helping to enable culturally-grounded participation, belonging and wellbeing for all.
- Active Me - Kia Tū fund. Supporting young New Zealanders facing financial hardship to access quality sport and recreation opportunities. (National has extended funding because of course).
- Creation of the Sport Integrity Commission in response to run of reviews from cycling, gymnastics, canoe racing, football, hockey and rugby.
- The guidance for the inclusion of trans people in sport. National has since deleted but WISPA has released their own.
- Funding support for the three Women's World Cups which included retro-fitting facilitates cause WOW women exist.
- And of course, their groundbreaking women and girl action plan.

This strategy changed our boardrooms, changed our coaching boxes and changed my life personally. I would not be writing this newsletter for you unless the media's shortfalls had been put in the spotlight by the funding of the annual report on women's sport coverage. There is a direct line from the opportunities that I have been afforded as a writer and the intervention of the previous government.

I'm not the only one. Whitney Hansen in her first interview with me this year acknowledged the vital part Te Hāpaitanga, Sport New Zealand's high performance coaching course for women, had on her development. Mel Bosman, forward coach for USA Rugby at the last World Cup and more recently the Hurricane Poua, is another alumni of the programme.

All of this is to say, if recently you've felt like women's sport has been sidelined, you're not imagining it. Please know that current political climate is in part to blame. I don't believe in trickle down economics but I do believe in trickle down attitudes. We aren't a priority for anyone currently in a position of power and that disregard permeates more widely. They aren't allocating funds, why should we? They aren't addressing inequity, why would we? They don't care, why should we?

Well I still care, probably too much. I worry about all the sport that isn't happening because people can't afford it. Because caregivers are both time and cash poor. Because kids need to work to support them. Because volunteer run teams, clubs and leagues that are falling over due to burn out. Sport is a mental and literal escape for many on the margins. If that hatch closes, we all lose.

When the cost of living is high, the joy of living is discarded for survival. I want us all to be able to live a life that affords us time to play.

So you best believe I'll be doing everything I can over these next 36 days to win this election and send this coalition government packing. If you want sport to win, you better vote that way too.

With you,
Alice

PS. Please check you are enrolled to vote right now!