Tertiary Sport Community in Safe Hands

It runs an annual National Tertiary Championship Series, where universities compete across eight different sports; Basketball, Netball, Ultimate frisbee, Badmington, 3x3 basketball, Rowing, Futsal and Volleyball. 

Table points are awarded in each event, that add to each university’s overall standing in the series. The UTSNZ shield will be the prize; a 100-year-old wooden award, approximately a meter tall. After months of competition, the University of Canterbury emerged victorious and defended their 2023 title from second place winners, the University of Auckland. 

The Shield also has a long history with the University of Otago, who won it first in 1923- when it was unveiled. Since then, Otago has held the shield more than any other university in New Zealand, a staggering 36 times. However, this year will go down in history as the first time that an Otago University team has competed in the National Tertiary Netball Championship, marking the end of a century long netball drought. 

A second trophy, Te Kaitiaki (spirit award), is decided by votes from athletes and officials.  

“The Spirit Award was first introduced in 2021 and is awarded based on three ‘Pou’ (pillars) that form the award’s overall criteria, each as important as the others. The combination of these Pou captures the overall spirit of the National Tertiary Championships, with examples of desirable attitude and behavior provided and include Kotahitanga (unity), Manaakitanga (respect) and Rangatiratanga (leadership).” - UTSNZ 

Victoria University of Wellington took home the prestigious title, cementing the win even before the last sport was played.  

A key focus throughout the UTSNZ events is community, and growth. University of Canterbury (UC) athlete, Zoe De Surville, thoroughly loved her experience in Ultimate Frisbee, and says it helped her connect with her peers. 

“I'm a new student at UC, so for me it was a way to kind of find my people because I played Ultimate Frisbee back home,” she said.

“Being a mixed sport, it was just a great way to get to make more friends.” 

UTSNZ also opens opportunities for athletes to further their careers. The University of Canterbury 3x3 Basketball team went on to compete in the Oceania Qualifiers, beating 17 opponents. This earnt them a spot in the FISU World University Cup, hosted in China on November the 22nd of November.  

Their coach, Piet Van Hasselt, is ecstatic with the result. He’s been coaching UC Basketball for 22 years and has watched many young athletes excel- but this is the first time a team from UC qualified for a FISU World Cup event.  

He says that if he could offer any advice to young adults interested in Tertiary sport, it would be to get involved.  

“It's a great thing to add to your studies, great to add to the student experience. Making new friendships, being a part of a team is really important, it will help you understand all the soft skills that you need to have, such as emotional intelligence, resilience. I'd just say get amongst it.” 

Next year, UTSNZ will send athletes to the World University Games in Germany, as an opportunity for New Zealand to showcase young talent on the world stage.