The Challenge

Sport should be a positive experience for all rangatahi, but negative behaviours, pressure to perform and poor sportsmanship can impact enjoyment, confidence and participation. Creating a positive sporting environment is a shared responsibility, involving players, teammates, coaches, officials, teachers and supporters.

The Solution​​​​​​​

Positive Vibes Only (PVO) is a campaign created by Sport Waikato, locally led by TSSSA in partnership with Sport Taranaki, sports codes and schools, aiming to improve sporting behaviours and create positive experiences for tamariki and rangatahi across Taranaki.

At TSSSA events, which primarily take place during the school day, the focus extends beyond adult behaviour on the sidelines. We want rangatahi to understand what good sporting behaviours look like, why they matter and how they can play an active role in creating a positive sporting culture.

Through PVO, we encourage students to be their own best advocates, showing respect for teammates, opponents and officials, demonstrating good sportsmanship, supporting others and recognising that how we behave is just as important as the result. By empowering rangatahi to lead by example, we can help create sporting environments where everyone feels welcome, valued and encouraged to participate.

Why it Works

PVO encourages everyone involved in school sport to reflect on their behaviours and the impact they have on others. It reinforces that being competitive and striving to perform well can go hand in hand with respect, encouragement and enjoyment.

By making positive sporting behaviours visible and celebrating those who demonstrate them, we can help rangatahi develop the confidence to speak up, support their peers and challenge negative behaviours. The goal is to build a sporting culture where positive behaviour becomes the norm, both on and off the field.