Rotorua to stage 2008 University Games

Media Release - for immediate release 25 July 2007

Rotorua to stage 2008 University Games

Rotorua will become the first non-University city to stage the iconic NZ University Games in April 2008 following a decision announced today by University Sport New Zealand (USNZ).

Rotorua’s bid to stage the Games, put forward by a consortium led by Rotorua District Council and Waiariki Institute of Technology, was selected over a rival bid from Auckland City. The Games are held in the upper North Island once every three years and will now take place in Rotorua on Monday 14 – Thursday 17 April 2008.

More than 2,500 students from New Zealand’s 10 Universities are expected to compete in 28 sports at venues in Rotorua and the spectacular forests and lakes surrounding the city. Each University will be seeking to win the coveted Games Shield that has been awarded to the overall champion since Otago University’s victory in 1923.

The first University Games were hosted in 1902 by the University of Canterbury and over a century later the Uni Games have become the second largest annual multi-sports event in New Zealand, after the Masters Games. Canterbury are the current Shield holders after their 600-strong team won the 2007 Games, held in Christchurch in April.

Jim Ellis, Executive Director of Games organisers University Sport NZ, is excited about bringing the Games to Rotorua for the first time, a decision which is expected to inject up to $1.8million into the local economy.

“This is a bold and historic decision by USNZ and reflects the calibre of the consortium that Rotorua has put together as well as the excellent standard of sports facilities, the scale of accommodation options and the atmosphere which the Games can create in a compact city. The students will enjoy the scenic surroundings and tourist attractions when not competing.”

Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters is equally enthusiastic. "Rotorua is delighted to welcome New Zealand's university students to our doorstep. I competed in the Uni Games as a full bore rifle shooter and have great memories of a fun week of high level competition. Rotorua is a perfect venue and we look forward to continuing to raise the standard of the Uni Games in New Zealand.”

USNZ’s delivery of the 2008 Uni Games will be supported by six key partners – Rotorua District Council, the Waiariki Academy of Sport, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Environment Bay of Plenty, Sport Bay of Plenty and Destination Rotorua Economic Development.

ENDS

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