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After unexpectedly having to fill in as a coach for her daughter’s football team, Lottie Ackers found her calling helping kids.
She now owns and runs SuperKids, which she started in March this year, a sports programme that visits kindergartens and early learning centres across Franklin to help children develop confidence and stay active through sport.
One of the main drivers for SuperKids came from her son, who lives with non-verbal autism.
“He’s taught me more about patience, communication, and understanding, more than any course ever could. Watching the way he connects through movement and play completely changed how I teach.”
SuperKids focuses on creating spaces where kids feel supported and safe, regardless of sporting ability or experience; skill level is unimportant.
What matters is how much fun the children have. The programme includes sports like football, rugby, tennis, basketball, and athletics.
“At SuperKids, I focus on creating a space where every child feels seen, supported, and safe to try, where effort absolutely matters more than skill, and fun is at the centre of everything we do.”
Studies from the United States-based Leafwing Center show sports and athletics can significantly help people with autism by improving motor skills and emotional regulation through structured physical activity.
Other studies also show that being active can help individuals with autism better communicate and help reduce stress and anxiety through a sport’s predictable routines.
Currently, there are between one and three per cent of New Zealanders living with autism.
