Secondary School students will need to be vaccinated to participate in sport during the first 2 terms of 2022.

The Hawke’s Bay Secondary School Principals Association chair Rob Sturch said the decision was made after a survey was sent to all local secondary school principals, school leaders and sport codes.

Mr Sturch said that the decision was made a bit easier due to sport codes and a majority of sport facilities requiring vaccination. All volunteers, coaches and officials are already required to be vaccinated.

“We are strongly encouraging all secondary school aged students to get vaccinated over the summer break so as to ensure they can take part in sport in 2022.

“We are strongly encouraging schools to look at ways to keep rangatahi active in-curriculum time, as we understand the positive wellbeing benefits of recreational activity.”

Mr Sturch adds the decision does not impact any in-curriculum physical education, only sport outside of the classroom.

Mr Sturch added that if family or students have any concerns about the decision, they should discuss this with their school.

A decision on Term 3 and 4 sport will be made at a Hawke’s Bay Secondary School Sport Management Committee meeting during term 2. The decision will be guided by local feedback and with what is happening across New Zealand.

Sport Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Director, Sophie Hickford supports the decision and says that other organisations from around New Zealand have already taken this step including College Sport Auckland, College Sport Wellington and School Sport New Zealand.

“Like schools, we want to see tamariki and rangatahi active and enjoying sport, but it has to be in a safe environment as we continue to live in very uncertain times,” Mrs Hickford said.

Primary school sport will continue without mandatory vaccination requirements, however volunteers, coaches and officials are required to be vaccinated.

Article added: Friday 17 December 2021