Young Leaders Day 2026

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Young Leaders Day is a one-day leadership programme designed specifically for Year 5 and 6 students. Through active, games-based learning and the principles of Te Whare Mauri Ora, participants will build confidence, develop resilience and discover what it means to lead in a way that is authentic to themselves.

Throughout the day, participants will also complete their own Young Leaders Journal, where they will draw, reflect and record key learnings from each session. They'll capture ideas, complete activities, set personal goals and take their journal home as a resource they can continue using after the programme has finished.

Whether your child is already stepping into leadership roles or simply wants to grow in confidence, this programme provides a fun, supportive environment where every participant can learn, challenge themselves and leave with practical skills they can use every day.

Register your child below!

For more information, please contact: 

Kody Edwards, Community Activator  kody@selwynsportstrust.org.nz

Why Young Leaders Day?

Leadership opportunities begin much earlier than many people realise. Every year, young people become school leaders, sports team captains, house leaders, peer supporters, classroom role models and committee members. While these roles come with responsibility, many students are expected to lead without being taught what leadership really means.

At the Selwyn Sports Trust, we believe there is no single way to be a great leader.

Leadership isn't always about being the person with the most confidence, always having the answers, or being the most outgoing person in the group. Some of the best leaders lead through kindness, listening, encouragement, service, body language, and setting a positive example.

Our programme gives young people the opportunity to discover their own leadership style by understanding their strengths, values and the positive influence they can have on others. Throughout the day they'll develop practical skills in communication, teamwork, resilience, confidence, decision-making and self-awareness. These skills will benefit them in school, sport and everyday life.

Our goal isn't to create one type of leader. It's to help every young person discover the leader they can become.

Our Approach

Young Leaders Day is built around Te Whare Mauri Ora, an expanded framework of Te Whare Tapa Whā, providing participants with a holistic understanding of leadership and wellbeing.

Through each element of the framework, participants will explore how looking after themselves and those around them contributes to becoming an effective leader. They'll learn how mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing, relationships, culture, identity and connection all play an important role in leadership.

Learning takes place through active participation rather than sitting in a classroom. Every activity has been carefully designed to encourage communication, teamwork, reflection, problem-solving and leadership through fun, sport-based challenges.

The Young Leaders Day Experience

Throughout the day, participants will:

• Develop transferable leadership skills.
• Build confidence and positive mental skills.
• Learn through active, games-based activities.
• Explore the Te Whare Mauri Ora framework.
• Strengthen communication and teamwork.
• Participate in fun sport-based leadership challenges.
• Complete their own Young Leaders Journal with activities, drawings, reflections, goal setting and leadership tools to take home.
• Leave with practical strategies they can apply at school, in sport and in everyday life.