The Digital Bridge – How Technology Is Changing the Way Kids Connect With Sport
It’s no secret that young people today are growing up in a completely different world to the one many of us remember. Children who are at school will not know a time without the internet, and babies born now, will not know a time without AI. For those of us who knew life before the internet, it can feel like technology is pulling kids away from community sport. It’s not all bad, because what if it’s actually building new bridges?
At our recent Members’ Meeting, Leanne Bax, Sport Waikato’s Head of Digital and Innovation, shared fascinating insights about how the next generation discovers and experiences sport in a digital age.
From Screen Time to Game Time
Leanne described what she calls “The Digital Bridge” — the way many young people are moving from online play to real-world participation.
Kids today might start out playing football or basketball online through games like FIFA World on Roblox or EA Sports. They learn about their favourite players like influencers on TikTok or Instagram, then feel inspired to start giving it a go in real life – practicing the skills they’ve seen before eventually joining a team or club in a formal setting.
Sport Waikato’s Rob Corkill gave a great real-life example: three new players joined his junior football team already ten weeks ahead of coaching. They had a good understanding of how the game worked — simply from what they’d learned through gaming. All they needed was time on the field to turn theory into teamwork and fine tune their practical skills.
Why It Matters
This generation of digital natives doesn’t separate online and offline life the way previous generations did. Their curiosity starts online, but it can quickly become a desire to play for real if communities make space for them to do so.
For clubs, schools, and community hubs, this is to be considered an opportunity. By embracing technology as a starting point rather than a competitor, we can help young people transfer digital enthusiasm into physical participation. We just have to understand the approach by them can be different to what we experienced at their age.
How Clubs Can Build the Bridge
Here are a few ways community clubs can keep pace with this change:
- Use digital connection as a doorway. Celebrate online engagement — share clips, challenges, or shout-outs that inspire kids to give it a go in person.
- Keep participation flexible. Short seasons, have-a-go days, and casual modules work well for families juggling busy schedules.
- Focus on belonging, not just competition. Today’s players are drawn to fun, social, welcoming environments over high-pressure performance.
- Encourage creativity. Let kids experiment, mix digital tools (like VR or skill-tracking apps), and find their own path into sport.
The Hub’s Role
The Hauraki Plains Community Hub is here to help local clubs adapt and connect and to keep sport relevant, inclusive, and exciting for the next generation.
By considering blending digital curiosity with real-world connection, we can keep building a community that young people feel a part of.
A big thank-you to Leanne Bax and Rob Corkill from Sport Waikato for sharing their insights with our members.
If your club would like help exploring how technology can support participation and connection, get in touch with Sport Waikato or contact the Hub.
Building a Sustainable, Vibrant, Connected Hauraki Plains Community.
