Media Release
21 November 2015
Japanese teachers visit Sport Wellington
Sport Wellington has met with a delegation of 22 Japanese teachers who are currently travelling New Zealand to research
health and physical education.
The National Centre for Teachers Development in Japan has sent the group of leading education personnel to a number of
countries to study the state of sport, physical education and health. The group will travel New Zealand for around ten
days, visiting sports organisations and schools.
Sport Wellington met with the group on Thursday, 20 November at Sport Wellington’s head office in Thorndon, to discuss
and share approaches to physical education in New Zealand and provide insight into the work Sport Wellington does.
Sport Wellington spoke about their strategic plan, vision and purpose, and provided a detailed analysis of what is
happening in this region. Overall seven staff presented on regional sports, schools, and Sport Wellington’s Active
Communities and KiwiSport programmes.
Sport Wellington CEO, Phil Gibbons stated “this is a great opportunity to share some of the successes Sport Wellington
has had in the areas of sport and active recreation in the local community.”
The group’s intent was to obtain an introduction and explanation of health and physical education policies, strategies
concerning the improvement of children's sport ability and lifelong sport to local community. They were also keen to
gain an understanding of Sport Wellingtons relationship with the Ministry of Education, schools, local community and
sport clubs.
Gibbons added “The work our visitors are doing in Japan relates well to what we are trying to achieve here in the
greater Wellington region of ensuring everyone has a lifelong involvement in sport and active recreation”.
On their tour the delegation has already met with Sport New Zealand, and is scheduled to visit Sport Waikato, Physical
Education New Zealand and the Ponsonby Rugby Club.
MEDIA RELEASE ENDS