Is It Game Over for University Sport

Press Release
(For immediate release)
September 26, 2010

Is It Game Over for University Sport

A major source of New Zealand’s international sporting talent could disappear if an ACT party Bill being considered by Parliament goes through.

Louise Burns, Executive Director at University Sport New Zealand said “We hold grave concerns for the future of tertiary sport if the Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill were to pass. Australia’s recent experience, where tertiary sport was decimated, shows just what would happen under this Bill.”

As a direct result of similar legislation introduced to Australia, research has shown a 41% reduction in the number of students representing their university at interuniversity sport. Early indications also show that participation by women in sporting clubs, and at interuniversity sport, has fallen to just 40%.

These alarming statistics are on top of nearly 100 sporting services across the country being shut down. These services include elite athlete support, reductions in campus-based recreational programs and a 17% reduction in club sport participation.

Ms Burns said New Zealand students could expect a similar experience should this Bill be passed, which would be an absolute travesty for a country that prides itself on its sporting culture.

“Funding and resources towards sporting opportunities from campus level right through to National and International events would be severely reduced or cut altogether. Students’ associations are the funders of USNZ, and without them our organisation, and the events we organise, would not be viable”.

These events include the famous New Zealand University Games teams for both the summer and winter World University Games events and the New Zealand Universities Blues Awards to name just a few.

Tertiary sport has long been the feeding ground for Kiwi sports champions on and off the field. Through the evolution of tertiary sports programmes and University Sport New Zealand have come great sports personalities such as Barry Maister, Secretary General New Zealand Olympic Committee; Steve Tew CEO, New Zealand Rugby Union; Mayhe Drysdale, World and Olympic Rower; Danyon Loader, Olympic Champion; Bernice Mene, Silver Fern; Caroline Evers Swindell, World and Olympic Rower; and current Silver Ferns assistant coach and SPARC Board member Waimarama Taumanu.

University Sport New Zealand and its supporters firmly believe that tertiary sports opportunities need to be secured so that the next generation of students can experience this great kiwi tradition.

ENDS

ABOUT UNIVERSITY SPORT NEW ZEALAND

University Sport New Zealand (USNZ) is the National Sporting Organisation (NSO) responsible for tertiary sport in New Zealand.

University Sport New Zealand is recognised by SPARC and is the only national sports body specifically targeted towards the New Zealand tertiary sector.

University Sport New Zealand is an affiliate member of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC).

University Sport New Zealand is the recognised national body and representative for International University Sports Federation (FISU).

Forty-seven (47) members of the New Zealand delegation to next week’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi have participated or been recognised through USNZ programmes.

Thirty-one (31) members of the New Zealand delegation to the Beijing Olympics competed at one of the last three World University Summer Games events.

In 2009 the 2009 New Zealand University Games event reaches the finals of the SPARC Sector Awards for Project Collaboration.

University Sport New Zealand’s membership consists of the ten (10) University Student Associations – the groups most affected by this legislation.

University Sport New Zealand is reliant on staff employed through the University Student Associations to promote and deliver the University Sport New Zealand sporting opportunities to their students.

University Sport New Zealand’s vision is; a sporting environment where all students have access to a wide variety of quality sports that are well supported by people, structure and funding.

University Sport New Zealand’s mission is; To promote and advocate the importance of sports in education at all levels. To create and sustain tertiary environment with quality sporting opportunities and clear athlete pathways.

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