Rugby League Survey Shows Healthier Whānau Transformations

With the season fully wrapped up, Healthy Families Hutt Valley collaborated with Wellington Rugby League to gain valuable insights into the experiences, challenges and aspirations of players and their whānau, helping to shape future initiatives that promote active and healthy communities through sports codes.

Wellington Rugby League has seen its membership nearly double over the past few years, with 93% of its members identifying as Māori or Pasifika. However, there are a number of barriers and challenges whānau face each week in order to participate and gain their weekly dose of physical activity,” explains Practice Lead, George Lajpold.

Feedback and insights from previous Wellington Rugby League surveys highlighted common barriers for this community, including financial constraints, time pressures and the challenge of juggling work, life and family responsibilities. Limited access to structured physical activity programmes was also a key issue. Respondents described spending long hours indoors due to the lack of affordable local physical activity options, leading to problems such as weight gain and low energy levels.

After introducing a person-centred approach, flexible training schedules, community clinics and whānau-focused activities, directly inspired by survey responses, participants have felt the support of blending Rugby League into their lives despite competing commitments. Rugby League has served as a link to healthier and stronger community connections, sparking transformations for whānau.

A standout theme from the survey was the need for a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. Respondents praised training sessions that incorporated hauora (wellbeing) principles, emphasising how “dedicated coaches” and additional “clinics for kids and coaches” enhanced their experience.

Throughout the 2024 season, participants reported notable improvements in physical fitness and mental clarity. These changes rippled through their families and communities, inspiring greater involvement. By the end of the season, many families had embraced healthier lifestyles, with respondents frequently mentioning the positive impact of these programmes. One survey participant shared how Rugby League had changed their family dynamic:

“We’re a healthier, happier family because of it. I used to just watch from the sidelines, but now we feel connected to the community in ways we never did before.”

These survey insights provide a valuable foundation for exploring how similar initiatives could be adapted and implemented across other sports, with a particular focus on improving access for Māori and Pacific families to engage in physical activities that support their health and wellbeing.

Looking ahead, Healthy Families Hutt Valley and Wellington Rugby League remain committed to furthering these efforts and aim to scale these programmes, ensuring more families can access the benefits of physical activity, community connection and wellbeing.