UTSNZ Blog

The FISU-AIPS Young Reporters Programme is back, bigger and better than ever before, with an exceptional opportunity for forty aspiring sports journalists to receive intensive hands-on training and work experience at the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games next summer. Read more about the experiences of past NZ participant Laura Quilter here.

Top NZ gamer Campbell Knowles will be representing both the University of Waikato and New Zealand as he competes for a place at the inaugural FISU eSports Challenge Football event. Campbell (Airbrn_), 20, began his eSports career in 2017 is one to watch out for at the Oceania Qualifier event to be played 27-28 June. The kiwi-born player came fourth in the FUT Championship 2017 and finished 9-16th in the FIFA e-Nations Cup 2019 in London. Hear more from Campbell here.

Earlier this week we sat down (virtually) to chat with the recently-announced MVP’s of the Lockdown League – Ben Bowie from Lincoln University and Shannon Trebes from the University of Waikato. Ben was chatting to us from his flat in Christchurch and Shannon was in her room at one of the halls of residence on campus. Here’s what happened.

UTSNZ and New Zealand tertiary student representative, Rose Fitzmaurice (Massey University) talks about her experience at the 2019 FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy which she describes as a whirlwind of a time.

Becoming a tertiary student can be an exciting, yet also daunting and unsettling change for many young people and that’s a normal reaction. What better time to hear from Rose Fitzmaurice, Massey University student and UTSNZ Student Athlete Commission Chairperson about finding your place on campus and making the most of the opportunities ahead of you!

A big presence on the NZ basketball scene, Zac Easthope is not someone you ever think would have had doubts. But he reveals that even our top student-athletes have their setbacks. Find out how Zac and his team took on the world's best 3x3 ballers in China and won.

In May UTSNZ put the call out for tertiary students to apply to volunteer at a FISU world university championship. Four months later, netball volunteer Travis Timpson (Ara Institute of Technology) was at the 2018 World University Netball Championships in Uganda. Here he shares his "amazing experience".

Hannah Hill is a research student from Lincoln University and long-time Canterbury hockey rep. She gives practical advice on how students can deal with this time of year in the healthiest way possible. Whether you're new to exams, or a seasoned swotter this blog could help you to improve your academic results.

Ellie McManaway is our newest Student Athlete rep, hailing from Victoria University. As a busy student-athlete in her final semester, Ellie knows a thing or two about the trials of study and how hard it is to fit everything in. Here's a humorous take on a vital message – why staying active is so important for one's sanity at uni!

Stepping out of her comfort zone, dealing with strange food and limited sleep were just some of the challenges Kristy faced in Kazan at the VLA. She was rewarded with friendships from around the globe, amazing speakers, and a newfound appreciation for volunteerism abroad.

Ben Langton Burnell represented NZ in April's Commonwealth Games. Before the Massey student flew out, we asked Ben how his 2017 World University Games experience in the javelin prepared him for large multisport events.

Among the NZ team at the Commonwealth Games in April were a number of students and recent grads, including Angie Petty (UC). Before she competed in the 800m we asked Angie how her involvement in the World Uni Games has impacted her athletic career.

The FISU Volunteer Leaders' Academy is on in Russia right now and UTSNZ is excited to have Kristy Havill (Lincoln University) representing the sector over there. In our first-ever blog post Kristy reveals what it’s been like so far.

Find out why Massey University graduate Liam Hurst volunteers at sport events, and what he gets out of his experiences.

Amelia volunteers her time across social, sport and governance bodies. All this on top of a full academic schedule and her own sports training. So, what drives her?