The Joyful Movement: Transforming the relationship between movement and Transgender and Non-Binary Communities

We all need and deserve to move our bodies in ways that feel life-giving and affirming. Movement is a powerful protective factor for young people: it nurtures holistic wellbeing, strengthens identity, and builds connection. In its various forms, movement can be both a prevention and treatment strategy for reducing alcohol and drug harm. Yet for some transgender and non-binary people, societal and systemic barriers too often prevent access to safe, joyful movement.

Recognising that trans and non-binary youth participate in physical activity far less than their peers, CAYAD Tāmaki Makaurau set out in 2021 to address this inequity. The team initiated The Joyful Movement – a community led, systems-focused initiative designed to radically transform how transgender and non-binary communities experience physical activity.

In October 2025, Auckland Council and The Joyful Movement received the NZ Rugby Innovation award at the Rainbow Excellence Awards. The innovation award recognises a program, policy, or practice that shows the willingness to try something new and bold, adapted to the unique organisational context, with measures for monitoring progress. The award celebrated the journey and the progress the team have made to date on this project.

At the outset, the CAYAD team faced a critical gap in understanding. There was limited Aotearoa-specific data on why transgender and non-binary people participate less in movement. To explore this, and define an evidence base to work from, CAYAD led a community research phase, grounded in best practice engagement and co-design.

The CAYAD Tāmaki Makaurau team recruited eight trans and non-binary rangatahi (aged 16–24) as contracted co-researchers. Over four months, they received training in small group facilitation, empathy interviewing, and the core principles of community action. For some, it was also the first time connecting in person with other rainbow peers. Together, the team engaged over 200 rainbow-identified young people through surveys, focus groups, and interviews. They collaboratively analysed the findings, identifying key barriers and opportunities for positive change. This process produced a detailed insight report to ensured solutions were shaped by those directly affected.

Along the way, the CAYAD Tāmaki Makaurau team connected with several grassroots leaders and exercise specialists who shared their vision. The team brought them together into a dedicated a leadership rōpū and formalised The Joyful Movement as a charitable organisation. Some of the rangatahi co-researchers joined the advisory group too.

Drawing on the insights gathered through the community research, the CAYAD team worked together to identify the first priorities and actions for The Joyful Movement. The research had shown not only the barriers transgender and non-binary communities face, but also what could enable meaningful, lasting change. A key insight was the need to frame movement holistically, recognising its physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions, rather than as purely physical exercise. The community also told us what would help them most: access to knowledgeable, affirming exercise specialists who could guide them to build positive, sustainable relationships with movement.

With support from Hawaiki Hou (Sport NZ) and AUT North Shore Campus, CAYAD Tāmaki Makaurau led the design and delivery of The Exchanging Knowledge Pilot, a professional development programme for personal trainers and exercise professionals eager to better serve trans and non-binary communities. This pilot built upon participants’ existing qualifications and experience; it was not a replacement for a Personal Training certification but rather a blueprint for adapting current practices to be trans-inclusive. Hosted by AUT North Shore Campus, workshops, panels, and discussions introduced the guidelines and the training’s holistic approach, providing essential space for PTs to understand the ‘why’ behind the pilot, learn directly from rainbow exercise professionals, and engage safely and respectfully.

Following the wānanga, PTs paired with trans and non-binary young people to build rapport and embark on their individual journeys over six weeks, supported by access to AUT’s gyms. One of the transgender rangatahi involved in the pilot gave this feedback about their experience:

“Over the last four weeks I’ve felt really positive about my body and I’ve developed more self-love.. I’ve realised that my body is capable of doing a lot of things in terms of movement and strength. I was always training alone so I didn’t have encouragement and support from other people. My trainer saw potential in me in being a powerlifter that I would’ve never recognised myself, which has made me feel really grateful for my body and what it can do.”

The Joyful Movement continues as a connected, community-led network of passionate leaders united by a shared vision: that movement can become a lifelong, life-giving experience for trans and non-binary people. Energised by what lies ahead, the team remain committed to driving systemic, community led change and to a future where every trans and non-binary person can move, belong, and thrive.