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New Zealand is celebrating a double bronze medal moment at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, with two podium finishes delivered just minutes apart and in two different cities – ending the team’s campaign in an unforgettable fashion. Read more here.

Warren Olsen (writer and commentator) sat down with Harry Lamont – a key member of last year’s men’s champions, Victoria University of Wellington – to see how their squad is shaping up for this year’s tournament. Read the full Q&A here.

Warren Olsen (writer and commentator) had a chat to Liv Deane, a key member of the Shingo Ina coached University of Canterbury side to see how their preparations are going and what particular aspects of her own game she will be focusing on. Read the full Q&A here.

The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games has launched in breathtaking fashion, with a sold-out opening ceremony at Duisburg’s Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena officially setting the stage for 12 days of international competition, culture, and connection.

Team New Zealand is proud to announce rhythmic gymnast Havana Hopman and water polo player Josef Schuler as its official flagbearers for the 2025 FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany.

University and student-athlete connectivity is getting a boost, as University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand (UTSNZ) proudly welcomes ZenSim as the Official Connectivity Partner of the New Zealand World University Games (WUG) Team heading to the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. Read more here.

For the first time in its history, Lincoln University will be represented in the National Tertiary Volleyball Championships as a newly formed men’s team travels to Porirua to compete at Te Rauparaha Arena over the weekend of 5–6 July. But this isn't just a sporting debut — it's the culmination of one student's vision to build something lasting. That student is Jitesh Kumar, a postgraduate studying towards a Master of Business, and the driving force behind the formation of Lincoln’s inaugural men’s volleyball team.

A team of 84 student-athletes will represent New Zealand across multiple sports at the FISU World University Games, held in Germany from 16-27 July. The FISU World University Games are the world’s second largest multi-sport event after the Olympics, bringing together around 8,500 student-athletes and officials from over 150 countries to compete for medals in 18 sports.

UTSNZ is pleased to confirm the appointment of Karl Whalen as the new Chair of its Board, following the completion of Anne-Marie Parsons’ second and final term. Anne-Marie, who has served as Chair since August 2022 and has been a key member of the UTSNZ Board since 2019, officially steps down from the leadership role this month. Read more here.

UTSNZ is proud to announce the selection of Liam Keegan, from the University of Canterbury (UC), to the 2025/26 FISU Student Ambassadors Programme - an international initiative aimed at empowering emerging leaders in university sport. Liam will join a global cohort of student leaders at the FISU Student Ambassadors Training event, held online this September as part of the FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy (FVLA). Read more here.

UTSNZ is thrilled to announce that Coby Moratti, a talented young media creative from Ara Institute of Canterbury, has been selected for the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games Young Sports Media Talent Programme. Read more here.

The pace and power of 3x3 basketball lit up the Edgar Centre, as a National Tertiary Championship event was held in Dunedin for the first time in UTSNZ’s short history. Rivalries were reignited as Lincoln University’s grip on the women’s title was tested, as was the University of Canterbury men’s recent reign of dominance.

The Auckland Badminton Stadium recently hosted the National Tertiary Badminton Championship and Tertiary Badminton Cup events, two divisions of competition that provide students of all abilities across Aotearoa the opportunity to participate. The University of Auckland entered the weekend as pre-tournament favourites for the championship, and their performance did not disappoint.

UTSNZ is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Yaso Kathiravel as Sports Team Doctor, alongside David Cooper and Adina Holder as Team Physiotherapists, for the New Zealand team travelling to the FISU World University Summer Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, in July 2025. Read more on the latest appointments on the road to Germany here.

UTSNZ is inviting applications for the FISU 2025/26 FISU Student Ambassadors Programme, an initiative aimed at developing young leaders in university sport. This global programme provides students with the opportunity to engage in international sports governance, develop leadership skills, and contribute to the promotion of university sport on a global scale. REad more on how to get involved here.

UTSNZ is proud to announce Evelyn Williamson as the Chef de Mission for the New Zealand team at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. A seasoned leader in high-performance sport, Williamson has previously guided New Zealand delegations at the 2017 and 2019 World University Games and played a key role in Olympic campaign delivery. Her extensive experience in multi-sport event operations and athlete support makes her a valuable asset in leading the team on the global stage.

University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand (UTSNZ) is excited to reveal the full schedule for the 2025 National Tertiary Championship series, promising an array of opportunities for tertiary students nationwide. The eight sports that have comprised the series in recent years feature once again, as universities prepare to do battle for the coveted tertiary shield.

UTSNZ is thrilled to announce the launch of the Tertiary Challenge Trophy, the latest addition to its prestigious awards list. This new trophy celebrates the growth and success of the Tertiary Challenge Series, a dynamic competition that continues to expand opportunities for tertiary students to engage in sport, no matter where they study. REad more on the new award here.

The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games Organising Committee has launched a global search for 28 emerging sports media professionals to join its innovative Young Sports Media Talents project. This initiative, an expansion of the FISU Young Reporters Programme established in 2011, aims to recruit reporters, photographers, and audio-descriptive commentators to cover the upcoming Games. Find out more on how New Zealand students can apply here.

For students studying at Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs), staying involved in organised sport comes with unique challenges. Through formats that include online and physical events, UTSNZ is making it possible for students from all institutions to stay connected to sport, reaping the rewards of physical activity, mental well-being, and personal growth. Read more here.

New Zealand is set to have a strong presence at this year’s Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, with a number of team sport applications accepted. In addition to individual sports like Athletics, Swimming, and Rowing - disciplines that have long leveraged the World University Games as a stepping stone for high-performance competition pathways - New Zealand will also compete in Archery, Artistic Gymnastics, Diving, Fencing, Rhythmic Gymnastics, and Taekwondo. Adding to this lineup, team sport applications have been accepted by FISU in 3x3 Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Water Polo, and Table Tennis. Read more here.