Youth MP focuses on how government organisations can use sport to improve young people’s lives

By Emelie Wissel, Youth Press Gallery, Youth Parliament 2025

Photo Caption: Sam Nicholls, Youth MP

Having played football since he was six, Sam Nicholls hopes to apply his experiences with the sport into the Sport and Recreation (Rec) topic he was offered as a Youth MP. Nicholls finds himself playing in the defensive line the most enjoyable, however, he plays for multiple teams which move him around. This had led to him becoming very flexible with his skills and can apply himself well in unknown circumstances. He hopes to apply this skill during his time as a Youth MP. 

Nicholls says that the one word he would use to answer the question ‘How can government organisations use sport and physical activity to improve the lives of young people?’ is with support. Ashburton born, currently living in Hokitika, West Coast he has found his community especially struggles with not having access to enough opportunities. In the West Coast, he finds rugby is put on a pedestal and other physical activities do not get the same support or recognition. As a football player, he feels that with support, youth like him who may not particularly enjoy playing rugby, can improve their lives in other supported physical activities.

He emphasises how different parts of New Zealand have way more opportunities offered to youth to participate in sports and physical recreation. Nicholl expresses this through a memory of going to Christchurch to play badminton and the kids were so much stronger than them as they had a larger pool to choose from and more resources to support their growth as players. He wishes for geography not to be a reason youth cannot have the same types of opportunities as others.

Nicholls says he cannot wait to meet other Youth MPs in Wellington over the three days in Parliament. He loves to make a good joke so keep your ears open for any loud laughs coming from the halls in Parliament, it might be Nicholls telling an amazing joke. Always down to give a helping hand to anyone struggling, he is known in school to be that person you can go to for help with physics or math. And as an aspiring actor, he loves public speaking and staying inspired. He hopes to go to Havelock North in his future to study at the National Youth Drama School. He ensures he has breakfast every morning to function and actively makes jokes with his company throughout the day. Finally, to close our interview Nicholls spoke on one of the quotes he likes to live by

- ‘Be strong enough to stand alone, be yourself enough to stand apart, and be wise enough to stand together when the time comes.’