08/08/2026
Recovery is more than what you do after the game. It’s how you learn to look after yourself along the way.
Wishing the Pt Chev U16s all the best as they head into their Grand Final today.
It was a privilege to have 24 of these young men through Wai Ora recently for a recovery and wellbeing workshop.
We opened our time together with karakia, followed by a short wānanga around recovery, self-care and something we believe should be non-negotiable for our rangatahi — learning to value and look after yourself.
For us, self-love isn’t just a phrase.
It’s understanding when your tinana needs rest.
It’s fuelling yourself properly.
It’s getting enough sleep.
It’s looking after your hinengaro.
It’s asking for help when you need it.
It’s creating habits away from the field that allow you to perform when it matters.
Recovery isn’t a sign that you’re doing less. It’s part of doing things well.
From there, the boys rotated through different recovery stations and got to experience some of the tools and methods we use with our wider Wai Ora whānau:
• Contrast therapy through our hot mineral and cold pools
• Normatec compression therapy
• Guided resistance and mobility work
• Percussion massage and foam rolling
Plenty of learning, plenty of laughs, and a little bit of competition along the way too.
What stood out most was the way these young men carried themselves. Respectful, polite, engaged and willing to learn. A credit to their whānau, coaches and the wider Pt Chev club.
For Wai Ora, opportunities like this mean a lot.
If we can share mātauranga with our rangatahi early — teaching them that recovery, hauora and caring for themselves are just as important as training hard — hopefully those lessons stay with them well beyond one season or one sport.
Performance matters. But so does the person underneath the jersey.
Go well today, boys. Trust the mahi, look after one another and enjoy the opportunity you’ve earned.
Pt Chev U16s — Grand Final day. Kia kaha.
Mō te Tinana. Mō te Wairua. Mōu.
