News

A movement to transform what happens on the sidelines and in the car on the way home.  

Netball is at its best when everyone feels safe, respected, and supported. This 2026 season marks our second year back with Love Their Game, a sideline and education initiative launched by Aktive that is reshaping how we all show up for our players.

The campaign's mission is simple: keep young people in sport by making it genuinely enjoyable. Its rallying call, "play with passion, cheer with respect, love their game", is now being shared consistently across multiple sports organisations, so families encounter the same message no matter which court or field they visit each week. Here’s what that looks like on courts across the Northern region this season.

CENTRES IN ACTION

Local action, lasting impact

Across the Northern region, five centres are bringing Love Their Game to life in their own way. Netball Northern and Aktive have provided each centre with promotional packs including banners, giveaways, and icebreaker messaging, but it's the individual ideas each centre is running with that make this campaign so powerful.

Auckland Netball Centre has been at it since last season, building real momentum with Love Their Game umpire t-shirts and a strong presence on their social channels that has helped normalise respectful sideline behaviour in their community.

Papakura and Manurewa are both activating hard this season with pre-game messaging, banners, and giveaways that set the tone before a ball is even thrown.

Waiuku is going deeper off the court too, linking parents on their website directly to carpool conversation resources and running pre-game messaging to keep the focus on development, not just the scoreboard.

Waitakere Netball Centre has taken a fresh approach to supporting their officials, kitting out their junior umpires in Love Their Game branded vests. It's a simple but powerful idea: a visual cue to every parent, coach, and player on the sideline that the young official in front of them deserves encouragement, not criticism.

"With the ‘Love Their Game’ branding and a few quirky reminders for the sidelines, these vests are about creating a positive environment where young umpires can grow in confidence, enjoy the game and feel respected every time they step on court. Designed to support, protect and celebrate the next generation of officials.

Great sport starts with great behaviour, and our junior umpires and players deserve the very best from all of us.”
— Murray Gardiner, General Manager

In Northland, similar momentum is building under different names: Whangārei Netball Centre runs "Positive Vibes Only", while Mangonui's "Good Sports Saturdays" reward standout sideline behaviour with a free coffee at the canteen, just a small gesture that has made a real difference.

CARPOOL CONVERSATIONS

The ride home matters

Perhaps the most powerful tool in the Love Their Game toolkit is the simplest: the questions we ask kids after a game.

Instead of "Did you win?" or "Why did you miss that shot?", the campaign encourages parents to use conversation starters that focus on development, joy, and connection.

Visit the Love Their Game champions page on our website to find out how you can lead by example and help make netball the best experience possible for every young person on court.