Youth Sport Development
The Youth Sport Development Research Group focuses on developing innovative independent learners who are agents of change, through facilitating athlete/student-centered learning, by applying theory to practice, being reflective practioners, understanding contextual learning, having self-awareness and valuing ongoing learning.
Management of concussion in NZ secondary schools
The Head Smart Schools website was launched on 16 September 2025. The development of the website was funded by an HRC Activation grant and builds on the work conducted over a number of years by researchers from AUT Sport Research Institute NZ (AUT SPRINZ), the University of Otago and NZ Rugby. The website is a resource designed to support the management of concussion in NZ secondary schools.
For more information, please contact headsmartschoolsnz@aut.ac.nz
The below videos represent composite stories with actors (details changed) and represent actual situations highlighting the positive outcomes when concussion management goes well, and the outcomes when concussion management is sub-optimal.
Research goals
- To create a thriving postgraduate and research environment that combines academic and industry capability to benefit coach development and education, incorporating performance analysis and skill acquisition
- To create positive change for sport organisations, coaches and athletes through extensive research and consulting
- To strongly contribute to the positive culture and aspirations of Sport in NZ, SPRINZ and AUT's School of Sport and Recreation
- To be known for excellent translation of theory into practice through meaningful collaborations.
- To establish a dynamic teaching-research nexus
- To be connected to community needs
Research pillars
- Coach development and education
- Athlete centred learning
- Performance analysis
- Skill acquisition
Our activities
Rugby
- New Zealand Rugby Concussion Project, Simon Walters, Sierra Keung
- Exploring athlete pathways: Players, barriers and facilitators of talent development with Rugby League in New Zealand. Collaboration with Dr Donna O’Connor, Balin Cupples & Dr Stephen Cobley (all from the University of Sydney)
- New Zealand Rugby League Coach Development resources: First roll out of resources in the first quarter of 2020. Simon Walters, Sierra Keung
- World Rugby Project – Kirsten Spencer and Andrew Kilding – Performance analysis on injury
- Touch NZ,(1) Evaluation of the Touch New Zealand’s “Communities Touched” Project, Kirsten Spencer and Tristan Brotherton. (2) The use and integration of the perceived value of performance analysis amongst coaches and players. Kirsten Spencer
- NZ Warriors – provided performance analysis support for opposition profiling and team performance. Scott Lewis, Kirsten Spencer
Netball
- Netball New Zealand ANZfuture Ferns Junior Coaching Programme, Kirsten Spencer
- ANZ Netball Umpire Profiling – Kirsten Spencer collaborating with Dr Stuart Mcerlain-Naylor at UCS, England
Coaches
- Research investigating work place conditions on Performance Analysts and Strength & Conditioning Coaches in NZ and Australia, Kirsten Spencer in collaboration with Otago Polytechnic
- NZ Canoe Slalom- Provided Performance Analyst for their training and selection events at Wero centre, Dev Patel, Kirsten Spencer
Triathlon
- BVI Triathlon - Collaborated on a project ‘The relationship between serious leisure experience, leisure motivation and leisure satisfaction among BVI triathlon participants’. Kirsten Spencer, Richard Wright
Cricket
- Enhancing National Athlete Development Pathways and Participation Rates in New Zealand Cricket- Faculty research Investment Project. Simon Walters, Kirsten Spencer, Chris Whatman, Skate Millar, Craig Harrison
Wellbeing
- Ranfurly Trust – collaborated on the project Avenues 2 Independence: Codesigning rehabilitation and wellbeing resources for Contemporary Veterans. Kirsten Spencer, Richard Wright, Carolyn Cairncross, Brendan Wood, Kelly Blyth
Hockey
- NZ Hockey- provided performance analyst and GPS services for U18 NZ training camps, Auckland NHL teams and National NHL tournament. Jess Black, Kirsten Spencer
Tennis
- NZ Tennis – provided performance analysis support for Micheal Venus re training and competition. Joshua Pereira, Kirsten Spencer
Schools
- Secondary School Sport Academies. Simon Walters, Sierra Keung