The social cohesion benefits of sport, recreation and community (much of which cannot be monetised or quantified) are alive and well in New Zealand. This was apparent at the Lake Kaniere Triathlon in the weekend on the West Coast. Attending as a supporter for my daughter offered a chance to observe things from the relative comfort of my proverbial armchair. Participants, young and old, swam, biked, ran, walked and kayaked their way to personal successes. Meanwhile at the start / finish area screeds of supporters cheered on everyone as they completed each stage of the event.
Over 350 participants took part in the event. However, at a guess I would surmise that close to a thousand people really participated, either in the event or as supporters. You see, it isn't just about the physical activity that can be gained from the event; rather more broadly speaking the day was about a community coming together, participating, supporting or volunteering in an event that was celebrating its 40th year - quite remarkable.
The act of coming together and connecting with others can be a powerful tonic for individuals and the wider community. While the Social Return on Investment is becoming more important when providing justification for resourcing in the sport, recreation and community sectors, we need to continue to tell the broader story of community engagement. While the individuals and teams completing the event were rewarded with a finishers medal, the wider community benefit is the winner for me.
