Sport for older adults — masters sport, active ageing programmes, and social sport for seniors — sits at the intersection of sport participation and health and wellbeing. New Zealand's ageing population makes this a growing funding priority for government and philanthropic funders. This guide covers the key funding sources for senior and masters sport in New Zealand.
Senior and masters sport delivers multiple outcomes that attract multiple funding streams:
- Sport: Participation in sporting activity (Sport NZ, RSTs)
- Health: Physical activity for chronic disease prevention (health funders)
- Social inclusion: Combating loneliness and isolation (community funders)
- Mental health: Cognitive and emotional wellbeing through sport (mental health funders)
This dual-outcome framing opens access to both sport funders and health/social sector funders.
Sport NZ funds community sport participation, including for older adults. The primary focus is participation in sport — programmes that get (and keep) older adults active.
Access through Regional Sport Trusts: RSTs fund:
- Clubs with senior and masters members
- Active ageing programmes delivered by community sport organisations
- Social sport formats accessible to older adults
Masters Sport New Zealand coordinates masters (veteran) sport for New Zealanders over specific age thresholds. Masters games and competitions bring together older athletes across multiple sports.
Masters sport bodies for individual sports (Masters Athletics NZ, Masters Swimming NZ, etc.) have their own funding relationships with their national bodies and Sport NZ.
Regional Sport Trusts fund active ageing sport:
- Club development for clubs with significant senior membership
- Programme grants for active ageing initiatives
- Equipment grants for adapted sport
New Zealand gaming trusts are significant funders for senior-oriented sport organisations:
- Four Winds Foundation
- Grassroots Trust
- Pub Charity
- Lion Foundation
- Southern Trust
Many senior sport clubs (bowls, social tennis, walking groups, golf) rely heavily on gaming trusts for equipment and programme funding.
Active ageing sport intersects strongly with health priorities:
Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora): Commissioning of active ageing and falls prevention programmes.
Primary Health Organisations (PHOs): Some PHOs fund community physical activity for chronic disease management.
ACC: Accident Compensation Corporation funds injury prevention — physical activity and exercise are evidence-based falls prevention interventions.
Ministry of Social Development: Social inclusion and wellbeing programmes for older adults.
Lottery Sport: Community sport organisations including masters and senior clubs.
Lottery Community: Community organisations delivering active ageing programmes.
Exercise is one of the most evidence-based falls prevention interventions for older adults in New Zealand. Falls cost ACC and the health system significantly. Funding for falls prevention:
- ACC: Evidence-based falls prevention programmes
- Health New Zealand district: Falls prevention investment
- PHOs: Exercise as medicine for older adults
Sport and exercise programmes that frame their work as falls prevention can access a dedicated health funding stream.
Bowls New Zealand: Lawn bowls is iconic senior sport — well-funded through gaming trusts and Sport NZ.
Walking football and walking netball: Slower-paced versions for older players, growing in New Zealand.
Social tennis: Clubs with social tennis sessions for older players.
Masters swimming: Masters swimming programmes and competitions.
Croquet: A traditional sport with strong senior participation.
Social golf: Golf clubs with active senior sections.
Tai chi and mind-body exercise: Falls prevention and balance programmes accessible through health funding.
Community foundations: Auckland Foundation, Acorn Foundation, Wellington Community Trust — fund active ageing programmes.
Age Concern: Advocacy and some programme funding for older adults.
Elder law and aged care philanthropists: Various foundations supporting healthy ageing.
Palliative and health foundations: Some fund activity programmes for older adults with health conditions.
Strong senior and masters sport applications demonstrate:
- Social outcomes: Reduction in isolation, community belonging, cognitive health
- Health outcomes: Physical health markers, falls prevention, chronic disease management
- Access and affordability: Pricing that doesn't exclude lower-income older adults
- Inclusion: Disability-inclusive programmes, cultural responsiveness
- Māori and Pacific participation: Older Māori and Pacific community engagement
- Volunteer and peer leadership: Older adults leading programmes for their peers
- Collaboration: Partnerships with health, aged care, and community services
Tahua's grants management platform helps sport and community organisations manage their grant applications, track reporting requirements, and demonstrate the health and social outcomes that active ageing funders want to see.