Tena Koutou Katoa and Welcome
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new students and to those continuing with their studies in 2008. I hope that you have all had a good break over the holiday period, enjoyed some rest and relaxation with family and friends and now feel invigorated and ready to meet the challenges of year ahead.
For our new students, this is not just the beginning of an exciting educational experience but the beginning of a very important new chapter of your life. Please remember that your tutors want to see you succeed and remember your time at Wintec as a happy and positive experience. In addition to quality education, Wintec strives to ensure that all students have access to a variety of help and support resources. If you need information or assistance, just ask any of our staff members - they are there to help.
To our returning students, by now you should have a definite base of knowledge on which to build, and an appreciation of the commitment required to successfully combine study with your work and personal life. Sometimes it can be difficult to fit everything into your busy lives - but if you want to succeed, you will.
Sport and Exercise Science students will be interested to know that the School is part of a core group of organisations that work synergistically together. This 'Sports Hub' includes organisations such as:
- Sport Waikato
- the New Zealand Academy of Sport North Island
- Sport and Exercise Science New Zealand
In November 2006, Sport Waikato made the decision to relocate operations and establish a base at Wintec's Avalon Drive Campus early in 2008.
Being the first co-location of a regional sports trust with a tertiary institution in New Zealand, this move offers a unique opportunity for synergies between the two organisations and opens the door to new practical experiences for our students. It will also complement the planned redevelopment of the Avalon Campus and lift the profile of the School of Sport and Exercise Science as a centre of excellence.
Construction is due to get under way beside the Avalon Drive entrance within the next few months and we look forward to welcoming Sport Waikato onto the Avalon Campus.
The New Zealand Academy of Sport, while continuing to support athletes whose sports are aiming for a World Championship this year, will focus primarily on Olympic athletes within the next six months.
It is pleasing to note that a number of former Wintec Sport and Exercise students are attempting to qualify for Beijing. We wish them well in their endeavours and look forward to reports of their progress.
As one of the consortium stakeholders in the New Zealand Academy of Sport North Island, we would like to congratulate the following students and one of our staff members on their outstanding achievements:
- Stuart Farquhar, Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science graduate
Stuart has recently qualified for the Beijing Olympics and won a major Australian event in the Javelin with a qualifying throw of 83.34 m.
- Debbie Strange, Biomechanics Lecturer, School of Sport and Exercise Science
Debbie is Stuart's coach and will be travelling to the Olympics with him. At the end of 2007 Debbie was appointed by the International Amateur Athletics Federation as one of its five-only writers' for the World-wide Athletic Coaching Programme for Coaches. She will lecture coaches in this role throughout the world.
- Casey Williams, Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science student
Casey is a Silver Fern and has recently been named in the Waikato-BOP Magic Netball squad to play in the inaugural Trans Tasman league.
- Nikki-Lee Crawford, Diploma in Sport and Recreation student
Nikki-Lee recently took part in the New Zealand Rowing trials and was selected for the New Zealand Women's U23 Coxless Four.
- Anna Stantiall, Diploma in Sport and Recreation student
Anna recently took part in the New Zealand Rowing trials and was selected for the New Zealand Women's U23 Quadruple Scull.
- Genevieve Armstrong, Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science student
Genevieve recently took part in the New Zealand Rowing trials and was selected as the Reserve for the New Zealand Women's U23 Rowing Squad.
In other news from the New Zealand Academy of Sport North Island, eight Carded Athletes from the Elite Programme have been awarded 2008 Prime Minister's Scholarships to study at the School of Sport and Exercise Science and one student has been awarded a PM's Scholarships for a Plumbing and Gasfitting Apprenticeship. They are:
- David Klinkhamer (Wheel Blacks)
- Michelle Hyland (Bike)
- Stuart Farquhar (Athletics)
- Terry Falevaai (Paralympics throwing)
- Alanah Cassidy (Netball)
- Genevieve Armstrong (Rowing)
- Jason Kelly (Bike)
- Casey Williams (Netball)
- Chris Macic (Bike) Plumbing and Gasfitting apprenticeship
We also have relationships with the Waikato Bay of Plenty Soccer Federation, the Waikato Rugby Union and Raglan Rugby Club who use our sports field as a practise ground for their Development squads, Midlands Hockey, Netball Waikato, and the Waikato ASB Tennis Academy.
Finally, I would like to wish you all the best with your studies. Hard work brings its own rewards so strive for the top, remember to ask for help if you need it along the way, and most importantly enjoy the experience.
Kia pai to ra
Denise Harnett - Head of School