Uni Sport Vital to Participation Right up to Gold

Press Release
(For immediate release)
October 26, 2010

University Sport Vital to Participation Right up to Gold

Wellington, New Zealand – October 26, 2010 -

A breeding ground for many Kiwi sports champions on and off the field will be put under threat due to legislation being voted on this week.

MPs will be voting this week on the second reading of the Act Party’s Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill. The Bill, if passed, would lead to major cuts in student services, representation, clubs, and sports at universities. Similar legislation in Australia led to major reductions in students’ participation in social and competitive sports on campuses there.

“Tertiary sport has long been the feeding ground for Kiwi sports champions on and off the field. Now such valuable pathways and traditions are under threat,” said USNZ President Ian Murphy.

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

“For example, rower Mahe Drysdale first got involved in tertiary rowing by going to the Easter Tourney (Uni Games). He has moved to significant domestic and international achievements.”

“Commonwealth Games Athletes like Glenn Snyders, Melissa Ingram, Daniel Bell, Simon Van Velthooven, and Eddie Dawkins have all either previously been recognised as high performance athletes and most have competed at the World University Games. This is a standard level of competition for many tertiary athletes who are recognised and supported by USNZ,” added Murphy.

These famous New Zealand Athletes are proud to have been associated with such events as New Zealand University Games, the World University Games, and the New Zealand Universities Blues Awards.

“National can vote the right way this week to ensure tertiary sports opportunities are secure so that future students can experience these great Kiwi traditions. We urge National to vote down this Bill,” concluded Murphy.

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 COMMONWEALTH GAMES CONNECTIONS

Athletics
Adrian Blincoe / NZU Blues Recipient
Andrea Miller / World University Games Bronze Medallist / NZU Blues Recipient
Brent Newdick / World University Games Bronze Medallist / NZU Blues Recipient
Monique Williams / World University Games Gold Medallist / NZU Blues Recipient
Rebecca Wardell / World University Games team
Stuart Farquhar / World University Games Silver Medallist

Badminton
Donna Halliday / NZU Blues Recipient
Oliver Lleyton Davies / NZU Blues Recipient

Cycling
Catherine Cheatley / NZU Blues Recipient
Eddie Dawkins / New Zealand University Games Gold Medallist
Greg Henderson / NZU Blues Recipient
Jaime Nielsen / NZU Blues Recipient
Peter Latham / NZU Blues Recipient
Simon van Velthooven / NZU Blues Recipient

Gymnastics
Mark Holyoak / World University Games team
Patrick Peng / NZU Blues Recipient

Hockey
Andrew Hayward / NZU Blues Recipient
Emily Naylor / NZU Blues Recipient
Gemma Flynn / NZU Blues Recipient
Kayla Sharland / NZU Blues Recipient
Krystal Forgesson / NZU Blues Recipient
Simon Child / NZU Blues Recipient
Stacey Carr / NZU Blues Recipient
Steven Edwards / NZU Blues Recipient

Netball
Laura Langman / NZU Blues Recipient
Anna Scarlett / NZU Blues Recipient
Leana de Bruin / NZU Blues Recipient
Joline Henry / NZU Blues Recipient
Nadine Stanton / NZU Blues Recipient

Shooting
Adrian Black / NZU Blues Recipient
Sally Johnson / NZU Blues Recipient

Swimming
Daniel Bell / World University Games team
Glenn Synders / World University Games team / NZU Blues Recipient
Melissa Ingram / World University Games Silver Medallist / NZU Blues Recipient
Moss Burmester / World University Games Team Captain / NZU Blues Recipient

Officials
Alison Fitch / World University Games Team Captain
Andrew Maclennan / World University Games Team Coach
Barry Maister / NZU Blues Panel and Recipient
Chantal Brunner / NZU Blues Recipient
David Kosoof / NZU Blues Recipient
Deborah Strange / World University Games Team Coach
Gavin Paton / World University Championship Team Manager
Ian Murphy / USNZ President of the Board
Jake Wilkins / Former USNZ National Events Manager
Louise Freer / Former USNZ National Operations Manager
Lynne Coleman / 2009 World University Games Chef de Mission
Waimarama Taumaunu / NZU Blues Recipient

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