Tag for All – a community-led competition uniting whānau

A community initiative focused on bringing tamariki and whānau together for fun and exercise has grown into much more.

‘Tag for All’ – a friendly tag competition designed for everyone to enjoy – began with the voices of the Glenora Bears rugby league community.  Through kōrero and connection, the club realised families were looking for something simple, inclusive and affordable, without the pressure that can sometimes come with organised sport.

With support from Sport Waitākere (now Tuia Waitākere), that idea quickly became a reality and together they launched Tag for All with the first games kicking off in October. 

“Juniors played on the 9th and the whānau grade took to the field the following night. Most players were completely new to tag, yet by the end of the season an impressive eleven junior teams had registered – a clear sign of growing excitement and engagement,” explains Jemma Palmer, Youth Sport Advisor at Sport Waitākere.

“The feedback from our community was loud and clear.  By supporting a localised competition, we’re reducing barriers to participation and helping ensure our community clubs can thrive. It’s simple, fun and driven by the needs of whānau.”

And fun is exactly what unfolded. The fields came alive with laughter, sideline cheers and teams proudly represented their whānau. Students from Kelston Boys’ High School volunteered as referees, showing strong leadership and helping create a welcoming vibe for everyone.

The competition also provided the perfect setting to introduce Love Their Game, a collective initiative promoting positive sideline behaviour and celebrating effort over results. Families embraced the kaupapa quickly, leading to calmer sidelines and happier players.

“This is the first time my girl has ever played tag,” one mum shared. “She’s super excited and because it’s local, there’s not so much pressure to get her here.”

“Being able to play locally has been awesome, saving money on petrol makes a big difference in our whare,” added another parent. 

Referees also enjoyed the format, reporting multiple benefits from the initiative.

"Being able to put my skill set out and support my community has been a good opportunity because now I feel more confident in what I am doing," commented one referee.  "It's cool helping the little kids, have to adjust my refereeing because they don't really know how to play but they are having so much fun,” added another.

Behind the scenes, Glenora’s volunteers worked tirelessly, keeping costs low, providing gear and creating leadership opportunities for rangatahi. Sport Waitākere supported with planning, resources and promoting positive behaviour, helping lay the foundations for a strong, inclusive future.

Jemma says the impact is clear. “Sport Waitākere aims to be the backbone for local clubs — supporting and upskilling them to create fun, safe and enjoyable competitions. By breaking down barriers, we’re giving tamariki and rangatahi more opportunities to grow on and off the field, and helping communities engage with sport for a lifetime.”

Tag for All has become much more than a game but a pathway into the Glenora whānau, built on passion, pride and respect. With Sport Waitākere’s continued support, the club is helping the community stay active, connected and proud.

“It shows that when we listen to our people, great things truly happen,” concludes Jemma.

This initiative was made possible thanks to funding from Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa.

We invite local clubs, whānau and community members to partner with us.  Get involved in accessible, fun and safe sporting opportunities, and help create environments where tamariki and rangatahi can grow, thrive and enjoy sport for a lifetime.