Over the past few months, our tamariki have thrown themselves into Rippa Rugby with enthusiasm, determination, and plenty of smiles.
What began as a fun physical activity quickly grew into a rich learning experience — strengthening hand–eye coordination, fitness, confidence in movement, and overall wellbeing.
As the weeks went on, we saw their skills flourish, with children becoming more agile, focused, and willing to challenge themselves in new ways. Alongside these physical skills, our tamariki developed teamwork, communication, oral language, and those important social–emotional capabilities such as sharing, turn‑taking, problem‑solving, and showing empathy.
Whether they were practising passes, cheering for their friends, or navigating the rules of the game, every moment offered meaningful learning. Our programme included both focused skill‑building sessions and full games, with the added excitement of practising off‑site at the local park. These real‑world experiences helped our tamariki apply their learning beyond the Centre and strengthened their sense of belonging within the wider community.
All of this hard mahi led to a very special milestone: taking part in the Rippa Rugby Tournament at Swarbrick Park. With whānau cheering proudly from the sidelines, our tamariki showcased their progress, celebrated their achievements, and demonstrated incredible resilience and teamwork. We are so proud of each and every one of them.