HESSA Recommendation 1: That SSNZ consider adopting the term Secondary School Aged Sports in place of Secondary School Sports. 

SSNZ current thinking: We appreciate the suggestion to adopt the term "Secondary School Aged Sports" to foster inclusivity. However, SSNZ must maintain its primary responsibility towards secondary schools in New Zealand. The proposed broadening of our mandate to include all secondary school-aged sports and youth is beyond our current scope and resource capabilities. Therefore, we oppose this change as it could dilute our core focus and responsibilities. 

HESSA asserts that every Kiwi student has the right to compete in student sports. In recommending this change, we sought a term that acknowledges the important role of schools and SSNZ in secondary-age student sports while also allowing for the inclusion of home-educated secondary-age students. To suggest that inclusion of the 1% of domestic students currently excluded from competing in the 200+ student sports events sanctioned by SSNZ could dilute SSNZ’s core focus and responsibilities is a significant stretch. SSNZ's reasons for opposing the recommendation do not withstand scrutiny, especially when SSNZ openly states it is on a “pivotal journey towards a more dynamic and responsive organization, where every voice contributes to the future of youth sports in New Zealand.” 

HESSA Recommendation 2: That HESSA be recognised as equivalent to an ‘attached school’ (Clause 1 Additional requirements point 6). 

SSNZ current thinking: We acknowledge the merit in your proposal to treat HESSA satellite regions similarly to member schools, including enabling these students to form host/attached agreements within their regions. While we support the inclusion of home-schooled students at our events, we seek further feedback from our members on this proposal. 

HESSA appreciates that SSNZ sees merit in this proposal. We reiterate HESSA’s position that participation without the right to compete at SSNZ events is not inclusion. 

HESSA Recommendation 3: That SSNZ consider that Regulation 4 be amended to state that bona fide home-educated HESSA members are allowed to fully compete in all tiers of SSNZ sanctioned events, both individually and as teams made up solely of HESSA members. 

SSNZ current thinking: We recognise the request to allow bona fide home-educated HESSA members to compete fully in all tiers of SSNZ sanctioned events. Currently, our position allows home-schooled students to participate in Cup and Festival tiered events, and as part of composite teams in Championship tiered events. We are planning a comprehensive review of our events calendar in 2025, which we believe will provide a more appropriate framework for discussing expanded access for home-schooled students. Meanwhile, we reaffirm our stance that Championship tiered events should remain specifically for secondary schools. 

HESSA’s position that home-educated domestic students should have a competitive pathway in sanctioned student sports events is not unreasonable. It is realistic, achievable at minimal cost, and aligns with Sport NZ’s strategic goals for secondary-age youth. The current situation, where home-educated students are allowed to participate but not compete in lower-tier sanctioned events and are excluded entirely from championship events, is unfair and potentially discriminatory. This exclusion leads to feelings of disempowerment, decreased motivation, and a lack of genuine engagement, negatively impacting their overall enjoyment and development in secondary-age sport. Sports participation without the ability to compete is not inclusive sport. 

HESSA maintains that the initial setting for all domestic students should support equal rights to compete in student sports. Exclusion from competing should occur only when there is a valid and non-discriminatory reason. The current exclusionary sanctions impacting home-educated domestic students are based wholly on their legal educational status and significantly reduce these students' opportunities within their sport at secondary-age because they are excluded from competing in a significant proportion of secondary-age events. Additionally, HESSA is concerned that excluding home-educated domestic students from student sports forces them into adult sports settings, posing health and safety risks. 

SSNZ’s position that Championship-tiered events should remain exclusive to secondary schools is particularly concerning amid the ongoing governance review. It suggests that SSNZ has already decided against full inclusion for home-educated students, despite the governance review proposing that the criteria for being a School Member should be adjusted to enable HESSA to become a School Member. 

HESSA contends that since SSNZ receives public funding from Sport NZ to promote competitive secondary-age student sports, they have a social responsibility to ensure all domestic students can compete. HESSA continues to advocate for SSNZ eligibility criteria to be amended to allow the 1% of currently excluded students a pathway to compete in all SSNZ sanctioned events, affirming that equal opportunities within the student sport setting should be available for 100% of the domestic secondary-age student body. 

Article added: Saturday 05 April 2025