Uni Games Planning Under Way In Christchurch

Uni Games Planning Under Way In Christchurch

One hundred and five years after Canterbury hosted the inaugural University Games, planning is well underway for the Games grand return to Christchurch

In April more than 2500 students from New Zealand’s 10 Universities are expected to compete in 28 sports at venues across Christchurch and Canterbury, making the Games the second largest annual multi-sports event in New Zealand.

The Games are expected to inject $1.5 million into the Christchurch economy and planning for the event is well advanced. The Christchurch City Council, the University of Canterbury, the University of Canterbury Students’ Association, Sport Canterbury and the New Zealand Community Trust are all banding together to ensure this year’s games are the best ever.

Overseas competitors from Australia and around the Pacific will add an international flavour to this year’s Games, with several Australian Universities and the University of the South Pacific expected to send teams.

Support from the community will be the key to ensuring the event’s success and organisers will soon be calling for volunteers to help with the administration and logistics of the Games.

“We’re really hoping the whole Christchurch community will get behind the Games,’’ says University Sport New Zealand national events manager Jake Wilkins.

“We’re going to have some top competition and there will be loads of opportunities for the public to get involved and just enjoy the atmosphere.’’

Two Christchurch-based event co-ordinators are now employed full-time to assist University Sport New Zealand in organising the Games, which will be staged at various venues throughout Christchurch and Canterbury from April 10 to 13.

Event co-ordinator Sara Daji says organising the Games is a huge logistical exercise but with Canterbury University and regional and national sporting bodies throwing their weight behind the event she is confident the Games will be a success.

Sara says more than 80 volunteers are needed to help with the running of the Games. Anyone interested should email volunteers@universitysport.org.nz for a registration form.

“You don’t have to be into sports to get involved. There are lots of administrative tasks that we need volunteers to help with so if you just want to be part of what is going to be a really fun event then you should contact us.’’

28 Games sports include;

Aquathon - QEII Park
Badminton - St Bedes College
Basketball - QEII Park
Beach Volleyball - Pioneer Stadium
Canoe Polo - QEII Park
Debating - University of Canterbury
Fencing - The Institute
Golf - Avondale Golf Club
Hockey - Porritt Park
Karate - University of Canterbury
Lawn Bowls - Fendalton Bowling Club
Mountain Biking - Halswall Quarry & Victoria Park
Netball - Bishopdale YMCA Recreation Centre
Rowing - Lake Hood, Ashburton
Rugby League - Rugby League Park
Shooting - TBC
Soccer - QEII Park
Sport Climbing - The Roxx Climbing Centre
Squash - University of Canterbury
Surfing - Taylors Mistake
Table Tennis - Table Tennis Canterbury
Tennis - Wilding Park
Touch - University of Canterbury
Ultimate - University of Canterbury
Underwater Hockey - QEII Park
Volleyball - Pioneer Stadium
Water Polo - QEII Park

Competing New Zealand Universities:

University of Auckland
AUT University
University of Canterbury
Lincoln University
Massey University Albany
Massey University Palmerston North
Massey University Wellington
University of Otago
Victoria University of Wellington
University of Waikato

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