New video captures impact on senior students   10 Apr 2014

Press release 10 April 2014

New video captures impact on senior students

Youth development organisation Ignite Sport recently launched a new video featuring eight former Porirua College students.

The video was made at the end of a four-year journey with 25 Porirua College students. Several students spoke of their growing leadership skills and how Ignite Sport’s encouragement had supported them through college.

The young men talk about how hard work pays off in the end and how important it is to set goals.

“Ignite taught me .... to be a good role model for my friends and that, to be honest with myself and have a good attitude,” says Peter Pili.

The clip was part of Ignite Sport’s presentation at the Trustpower National Community Awards in Invercargill on 22-23 March. The Lower Hutt based organisation was representing the Wellington Region at the national awards.

Coordinator Kevin Goldsbury says the video was well received. “Many people were captured by the boys’ stories. It was great to share what these young men said about their time with us,” he said.

The video can be seen on Ignite Sport’s website http://www.ignitesport.org.nz/home/spotlight-on/

The students’ journey began in 2010 when Ignite Sport was contacted by Porirua College. “It was a call for help with a group of Year 10 students to encourage, support and give direction. School wasn’t always easy but they all liked rugby,” says Kevin.

“Our journey began with the group successfully completing our sports academy programme that year. In Year 11 they learnt about ‘leading themselves and taking personal responsibility’ and in Year 12, about ‘leading others’.”

In their final year at school they mentored junior students and in a leadership role, taught Brandon Intermediate pupils a new sport. Some were made prefects and one became deputy head boy. For the first time in 24 years the Porirua College First XV played in College Sport premier grade.

“We are incredibly proud and humbled how these young men have grown personally since we’ve been working with them. We believe they have potential to go far in both sport and life,” says Kevin. Several joined the Ignite Sport team at an Elite Sports Camp in January this year.

Ignite Sport continues to work in Porirua College and this year was asked to deliver a new programme to all Year 9 students, based on the College’s Pride Guide. The organisation also delivers youth development or sports academy programmes at Naenae Intermediate, Naenae College and Hutt Valley high School among others. It also finds and places sports coaches and mentors at several high schools in the region. For more information visit www.ignitesport.org.nz

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Video link: http://www.ignitesport.org.nz/home/spotlight-on/

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