14 February 2002 Media Statement

Talented athletes in Wellington gain PM’s scholarships

More talented athletes in the Wellington region have received the Prime Minister’s sporting scholarships to help them reach their sporting and educational goals.

Sports Fitness and Leisure Minister Trevor Mallard today announced the 41 Wellington-based scholarship recipients for 2002. There are 433 athletes nationwide who were offered this year’s scholarships, worth up to $16,000.

The Prime Minister’s Scholarships are a government initiative established in 2000 to assist athletes pursuing academic or trade studies as well as sporting careers.

This Government has committed $9 million over a 3-year period for the programme, which is administered by the New Zealand Academy of Sport. It has also granted $16 million toward the establishment of the academy.

“The government strives to support New Zealanders achieve excellence,” Helen Clark said.

“This scholarship programme assists young people with the potential to be among our sporting greats.”

Jodi Te Huna was one of the recipients of the Prime Minister’s scholarship today. Jodi was selected for the New Zealand A team that won the Singapore Netball Tournament and is also a member of the Shakers Wellington Netball team competing in the National Bank Cup.

“Jodi Te Huna is a fine role model and the scholarship allows her to concentrate on playing netball and studying to become a teacher,” Helen Clark said.

Another recipient, Melissa Moon, was the Say When New Zealand Sports Woman of the Year for 2001. She is currently studying a Diploma in Teaching at Wellington College of Education. Her ultimate goal is to compete in the marathon event at the 2004 Olympic Games.

“As Melissa points out, it’s important for sports people to have balance in their lives,” Helen Clark said.

“Studying for a tertiary qualification trains them to cope with the pressures of sporting competition. It also ensures other opportunities exist once they retire from their sporting pursuits.”

Trevor Mallard said athletes receiving scholarships will have their full tertiary fees paid - up to $10,000 - rather than to a set limit as it was last year.

“Athletes will also be entitled to an allowance if studying full time. This is a huge help for those who are struggling to make ends meet while juggling a busy lifestyle.

“The opportunity to support even more athletes next year is a great development for this programme. It will make a significant difference in many young people’s lives,” Trevor Mallard said.

Scholarships are available to athletes who are either currently carded by their national sport organisation and accessing services linked to the New Zealand Academy of Sport or athletes from non-carded sports who are prioritised by their national sport organisation.

There will be a second intake for the scholarship programme in June, allowing newly carded athletes to apply.

Attached: List of Prime Minister’s Sports Scholarship recipients from the Wellington region.

More detailed information about the four recipients as above.

Prime Minister’s Sports Scholarship Profiles - Wellington Region

Jodi Te Huna - Netball

“Having a scholarship allows me to concentrate on the two things I love - becoming a teacher and playing netball. I believe education is really important. Sport isn’t always going to be there so you need to have something to fall back on. I always wanted to be a teacher - ever since I was little.”

Recent Results: Jodi was selected for the NZA team that was placed 1st in the Singapore Netball Tournament.

A member of the Shakers Wellington Netball team in the National Bank Cup

Goals: Jodi aims to gain selection into the New Zealand A team and the New Zealand Netball Squad for the world champs in 2003.

Studying: Bachelor of Education (primary)

Institution: Wellington College of Education.

Year: Jodi studied part time last year due to netball commitments, but is currently enrolled fulltime for 2002.

Card Level: 2

Melissa Moon - athletics

“The Olympic philosophy- Olympism is about the blending of Sport with Culture and Education. It is the "balance" of the body, mind and will, and I see these scholarship programmes as providing the athlete with that balance by enabling them to excel in other areas of their lives. The programme has encouraged me to further my teaching knowledge by enabling me to undertake advanced teaching papers. The aim is to excel not only in my sport, but also in my chosen career as a teacher.”

Melissa first became involved in athletics at school showing natural talent for running. After leaving school, Melissa gave up athletics for seven years before deciding to get back into it. Now her ultimate aim is to run the marathon at the 2004 Olympics in Greece.

Recent Results: Say When New Zealand Sports Woman of the Year 2001

World Mountain Running Champion - 2001

Goals: To qualify and compete in the marathon at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester

To successfully defend her title at the World Mountain Running Champs

Studying: Diploma in Teaching

Institution: Wellington College of Education.

Year: This is Melissa’s first year as a scholarship recipient

Card Level: 1

Contact: Melissa is currently in Japan attempting to qualify for the Commonwealth Games. She will be attending the certificate presentation and will be available for comment after the formal part of the evening is concluded.

Niniwa Roberts - Hockey

“It is really good to have the opportunity to study as well as complete my sports programme. I think you need an outlet as well as sport, and studying not only keeps the balance but provides something else to drive you.”

Niniwa Roberts started playing hockey when she was six years old. Why? - Because her mother played. Now after spending two seasons overseas, one in Germany and one in Holland, she is a member of the Black Sticks. Niniwa is an attacker for the Black Sticks and has ten caps to her name.

Recent Results: Current member of the Black Sticks

Goals: To win gold at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

Studying: Diploma in Sport Massage

Institution National College of Massage

Year: I studied full-time in 2002 with the assistance of a Prime Minster’s Sports Scholarship. This year I am only able to study part time, as it is a big year for hockey. Trials for the NZ team are in April where the team is selected for Manchester. Two weeks after the team travel to China for the champion’s trophy, then back to Wellington before the World Cup in November.

Card level 1

Kyle Pontifex - Hockey

“The Prime Minister’s Sports Scholarships have been a great thing for me. It is really important to have outside interests when you are so involved in sport and I find that when I am studying it gives me the ability to think a bit more about my game and analyse what is happening on the field. It has taken the pressure of financially a lot. The scholarship has meant I have been able to concentrate on studying and playing and not having to worry about a part-time job as well.”

Kyle is a born and bred Wellingtonian, who attended Newlands College. He is currently in the starting line up for the Wellington Hockey team and part of the NZ men’s hockey training squad. Kyle is currently the third goalkeeper in the NZ men’s hockey team and is training hard with the hope of proving himself and securing place in the team to head to Manchester in September.

Recent Results: Kyle is a member of the NZ men’s hockey training squad.

Goals: To qualify for NZ men’s hockey team to compete at Commonwealth Games in Manchester

Studying: Bachelor of Information Technology

Institution: Weltec

Year: Kyle is in his final year of the qualification and is due to finish his course at the end of the semester. Kyle was a scholarship recipient in 2001.

Card Level: 2

Prime Minister’s Sports Scholarships - Bios of Athletes

NZ Academy of Sport - Central

Scholarship numbers:

- 67 Scholarships were offered in the Central Region of which 44 were offered to athletes based in the greater Wellington Region.

- A total of 7 athletes did not take up the scholarship, 3 of which were based in Wellington.

- 41 Wellington based athletes are taking up the offer of a scholarship.

- The total number of scholarships for the Central region is 60.

- 28 recipients will be attending the presentation tonight at Westpac stadium.

Athlete Sport Level Tertiary Provider Course of Study Hometown

1 Barr, Stuart Orienteering 5 Victoria Industrial Design (BDes) Wellington

2 Bhika, Priya Hockey 3 Victoria BCA (Hons) Wellington

3 Bradshaw, Craig Basketball 3 Victoria BCA Upper Hutt

4 Brunton, Rebecca Wellington 3 National College

of Multi Media Electronic

Multi Media Wellington

5 Cane, Jonathan Golf 2 Massey (WGT campus) Dip Cater Lower Hutt

6 Chun, Hee-Jeong Golf 2 Massey (WGT campus) Dip Cater Wellington

7 Clarke, Julian Hockey 4 Victoria BSc Wellington

8 Daly, Nicholas Wrestling 5 Massey (Wgtn campus) Nursing Wellington

9 Donoghue, Rebecca Water Polo 5 Victoria BCom; BTourMgt Wellington

10 Edwards, Tyron Karate 5 Victoria BCA Wellington

11 Geale, Jason Sailing 3 Manawatu Inst

of Tech Fabrication

Light Level 3 Wellington

12 Hooker, Lisa Skate Sports 5 Victoria BSc Wanganui

13 Hunter, Jane Nicloa Hockey 4 Victoria BA Lower Hutt

14 Ioasa, Naomi Softball 4 Victoria BA Hastings

15 Isles, Bradley Golf 3 Victoria BSc Wellington

16 Jurgeleit, Beth Hockey 3 Victoria Law Wellington

17 Kennedy, Ross Rugby 2 Victoria BA Wellington

18 Lote, Shelly Anne Softball 2 Victoria BA Wellington

19 Lote, Upu Softball 2 Victoria BA Wellington

20 Lutten, Gene Softball 2 Massey (Wgtn campus) Personal Training Wellington

21 MacLeod, Calum Basketball 3 Victoria BSc Lower Hutt

22 McDowell, Steven Yachting 3 Massey (Wgtn campus) BEng Wellington

23 McIlroy, Kate Athletics 4 Victoria BCom Wellington

24 McNamee, Jonathan Cricket 3 Victoria BSc Stokes Valley

25 Moon, Melissa Athletics 1 Wgtn

Col of Educ Dip In Tchg Wellington

26 Paige, Krissie Karate 5 Massey (WGT campus) BA Wellington

27 Parker, Suzie Snow Sports 5 Massey (WGT campus) BFA (Fine Arts) Otaki

28 Pontifex, Kyle Hockey 2 Weltec BInformTech Wellington

29 Pown, Andrew Wrestling 5 NZIS Nat CertSport Petone

30 Pritchard, Daya Netball 4 NZIS Diploma in Sport Management Otaki

31 Roberts, Ninwa Hockey 1 National College of Massage Diploma in Sport Massage Wellington

32 Soffe, Keisha-Dean Weightlifting 2 NZIS Diploma in Exercise Prescription Waitara

33 Tan, Sarah Water Polo 5 Victoria BCom Wellington

34 Taylor, Nick Yachting 3 Victoria Barch Auckland

35 TeHuna, Jodie Netball 2 Wgtn

Col of Educ BEd (primary) Wellington

36 Thompson, Kane Rugby 2 Massey Dip Ex Sc Welington

37 Tompkins, Jean Equestrian 3 Victoria BCom New Plymouth

38 Welsh, Kyla Golf 3 Victoria BCom Timaru

39 Willis, Nick Athletics 3 Victoria BCA Lower Hutt

40 Wilson, Graeme Squash 3 Massey (WGT campus) BSc Wellington

41 Young. Zachary Triathlon 3 Victoria LLB, BCA Wellington

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