About Us
Boys’ Brigade (BB) commenced in Scotland in 1883 by William Alexander Smith, who decided boys who were in his Sunday School class were unruly and needed some additional discipline. This evolved into a whole of life programme which has significantly impacted the lives of millions of boys around the world for over 100 years. BB came to New Zealand in 1886 and has produced men who have gone on to become Prime Minister and Governor General. In 2003 BB rebranded and launched a completely new and contemporary programme called ICONZ. ICONZ has grown significantly since its introduction and can be found in 65 locations around NZ.
Both BB and ICONZ are run by teams of volunteer leaders, normally from local churches, who are committed to see boys develop both practical skills and values that prepare them for life.
The role of staff at BBNZ is to provide training, resources and support for our volunteers, providing significant experience working with children and young adults.
Our vision is to have every boy in New Zealand take part in our life development programme.
Our Regional Development Manager
Upper & Lower South Island
Warwick Tomlinson
022 060 0020
E: [email protected]
Contact Warwick for a venue near you!
How we can help your child
The purpose of ICONZ & BB is to provide weekly programmes for boys with action/adventure, challenge, managed risk, skill training, and development of values derived from a foundation of Christian faith.
A typical programme will involve team games and challenges, sport of different kinds, badges recognising skills such as bush craft and carpentry, team talk/devotions, involvement in community service activities, visits to public service providers such as Search & Rescue, Police, Fire Service. Each Unit has its own flavour based on the skill set of the volunteer leaders. They will also participate in regional events such as Sandwarz (Team competitions in the mud) and weekend camps.
ICONZ Edge forms part of the Education Outside the Classroom at a primary or intermediate school, where disadvantaged or “at risk” boys are chosen by the school to participate in the programme in order to assist them with their social development and learning.
Our physical environment
BB & ICONZ is primarily run at the premises of a local church, school or community hall. Parents are encouraged to stay and see what their boys are involved in and to meet leaders. All leaders are police vetted prior to registration, and have policies in place to comply with Health & Safety and Child Protection legislation.
Atmosphere
The location of the nearest ICONZ Unit or BB Company can be found on an interactive map on our website. (www.bb.org.nz). All boys in the community are welcome and should be signed in and out by the parent or caregiver. Parents are encouraged to stay and be involved, helping out with games and activities. Boys are placed in teams enabling friendships to be made easily and crowd breaker games enable boys to integrate quickly.
If you would like any more information in regards to our programmes discuss this with the coordinator of the local Unit or contact BBNZ National Resource Centre on (09 448 1157)
Services
- Weekly activities that are skills and Christian values based
Skill Training - ICONZ & BB Anchor (Boys 5 – 7 years)
- ICONZ Adventure & BB Team Section (Boys 8 – 10 years)
- ICONZ Xtreme & BB Junior Company (Boys 11 – 14 years)
- ICONZ Delta & BB Company Section (Boys 15 – 17 years)
- ICONZ Edge (School based programme for disadvantaged or high risk boys as part of EOTC)
- National Leadership Development Course (8 day residential leadership development course for young men aged 16 – 19)
Services
- Weekly activities that are skills and Christian values based
Skill Training - ICONZ & BB Anchor (Boys 5 – 7 years)
- ICONZ Adventure & BB Team Section (Boys 8 – 10 years)
- ICONZ Xtreme & BB Junior Company (Boys 11 – 14 years)
- ICONZ Delta & BB Company Section (Boys 15 – 17 years)
- ICONZ Edge (School based programme for disadvantaged or high risk boys as part of EOTC)
- National Leadership Development Course (8 day residential leadership development course for young men aged 16 – 19)