The Home Educators Student Sports Association (HESSA) is the national body coordinating and representing the interests of home-educated domestic students to engage in sport, recognized by School Sports New Zealand (SSNZ).

Currently, home-educated students have limited opportunities to engage and compete in secondary school aged sports in Aotearoa New Zealand due to existing provisions. Sporting pathways are incredibly limited at a time when published data shows that only 54% of young people in Aotearoa New Zealand regularly meet WHO activity guidelines

We acknowledge that National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) are actively working to increase youth participation in sports and improve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and that many NSOs have DEI policies that reject all forms of discrimination in sports.

Current SSNZ Regulations:

• Individual Sports: Home-educated students may participate if the organizer allows, but they cannot compete or be recognized as winners. 

This is neither inclusive nor equitable.

• Team Sports: Home-educated students cannot form teams solely of home-educated students. They may join school teams if the school permits, provided no school student is disadvantaged. These teams are composite and ineligible for higher-tier competitions,

This makes inclusion of home educated students unattractive for schools aiming for top-level competition. 

Additionally, regional secondary school aged sports, often managed by College Sports Organisations following SSNZ regulations, exclude home-educated students from their leagues and competitions and Local clubs do not field teams or hold training sessions for secondary school aged students meaning there are limited pathways for these students to participate in their chosen sport.

SSNZ Eligibility Regulations Review: 

We understand NSOs may have already submitted feedback to SSNZ for the review which closes today 14 February 2025. However, we urge you to send an addendum today stating your support for the inclusion of home educated domestic students to compete in secondary school aged sports. Your support for system change is crucial for ensuring, our shared vision, for equitable and just opportunities for all students, regardless of their educational background, to participate, compete, and excel in sports.

By supporting home-educated students in secondary school aged sports, NSOs will champion diversity and inclusion in the sports sector, and help support sporting pathways for all students demonstrating a commitment to fairness and equity for all students in Aotearoa. This aligns with Sport NZ’s strategic priorities (Sport NZ Strategic Plan 2024-2028) for a diverse, inclusive, student-centered, and equity-focused sports environment with empowered and connected local communities.

Article added: Friday 14 February 2025