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17 October 2008
NEWS: Key visits Field of Dreams in Manukau
National Party Leader John Key visited a Field of Dreams swim programme in Manukau today.
"Field of Dreams is a project initiated by Olympic gold medallist John Walker and aims to get children in the Manukau area active and involved in sport.
"This is a great initiative. I think getting involved in sport is an important part of growing up in New Zealand.
"National will focus on getting more school kids regularly participating in sports teams and clubs. We will achieve this by working with the community organisations, schools and clubs that are in regular contact with kids.
"We will carefully re-prioritise government sports funds currently directed to advisers, reports, and bureaucratic campaigns, and instead focus it on frontline initiatives like Field of Dreams.
"Kids who are out there swimming, or playing rugby, netball or any other sport aren't just getting fitter and healthier. They're learning about teamwork and co-operation, about playing fair, and about winning and losing.
"I also see participation in sport as one of the ways we can improve our national attitude to competition. I want Kiwis to see themselves as a nation of winners, prepared to do what it takes to compete with the rest of the world and win.
"Those involved in youth justice tell me that young people who are in organised sport are much less likely to get mixed up in criminal offending or other destructive activities.
"In 2008 too many kids in our poorest communities are being excluded from sport because their parents can't afford it. These are the kids that need it most and I am determined to turn it around.
"National will shift the Government's emphasis away from government bureaucracy and campaigns and back to sports on the front line. In doing so we will ensure that more Kiwi kids take part in sport. And that is something we think all Kiwis will be happy to support."
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"Field of Dreams is a project initiated by Olympic gold medallist John Walker and aims to get children in the Manukau area active and involved in sport.
"This is a great initiative. I think getting involved in sport is an important part of growing up in New Zealand.
"National will focus on getting more school kids regularly participating in sports teams and clubs. We will achieve this by working with the community organisations, schools and clubs that are in regular contact with kids.
"We will carefully re-prioritise government sports funds currently directed to advisers, reports, and bureaucratic campaigns, and instead focus it on frontline initiatives like Field of Dreams.
"Kids who are out there swimming, or playing rugby, netball or any other sport aren't just getting fitter and healthier. They're learning about teamwork and co-operation, about playing fair, and about winning and losing.
"I also see participation in sport as one of the ways we can improve our national attitude to competition. I want Kiwis to see themselves as a nation of winners, prepared to do what it takes to compete with the rest of the world and win.
"Those involved in youth justice tell me that young people who are in organised sport are much less likely to get mixed up in criminal offending or other destructive activities.
"In 2008 too many kids in our poorest communities are being excluded from sport because their parents can't afford it. These are the kids that need it most and I am determined to turn it around.
"National will shift the Government's emphasis away from government bureaucracy and campaigns and back to sports on the front line. In doing so we will ensure that more Kiwi kids take part in sport. And that is something we think all Kiwis will be happy to support."
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