Universities getting behind NZ athletes

New Zealand Academy of Sport

18 May 2011

A network of NZ Universities who agree to support NZ’s high performance athletes has been developed by the NZ Academy of Sport (NZAS).

“We are delighted to already have four Universities on board. Positive discussions with NZ’s other Universities are underway, and we expect tertiary organizations throughout NZ to soon join the Network,” said Susan Thomason, NZAS Athlete Life Manager.

Massey University led the way to sign the ‘Athlete Friendly Tertiary Network’ agreement followed by Victoria University, AUT University and the University of Waikato.

While many tertiary institutions are already providing flexibility to athletes in a case-by-case manner, the Athlete Friendly Tertiary Network will enable a more structured and effective system for both athletes and tertiary staff.

An agreed set of guiding principles will help to create a supportive environment that is conducive to athletes’ achievement of both sporting and academic excellence.

Someone who knows firsthand the challenges of balancing sport and study is Olympic Rowing Medallist and Athlete Life Adviser Nathan Twaddle. “Being at a University that recognises the value of having elite athletes involved in their programmes makes the world of difference,” says Nathan.

Olympic Gold Medallist and former Rhodes Scholar, NZAS South Island CEO Selwyn Maister agrees. “It is enormously encouraging to see our NZ Universities signing up to facilitate the pursuit of academic study by this country’s elite athletes. There is synergy between elite sport and successful study, however it has become increasingly difficult to accommodate both activities at the highest level as the demands in both areas have risen. I believe this move will encourage more athletes to engage in academic study, which in turn will assist their sporting success”.

ENDS