Supporting students in achieving both their sporting and academic goals
Our Sport Support team based at Unipol Recreation provides support to those students who are balancing their academic academic goals with those of a performance athlete. We also provide support to students pursuing leadership roles in performance sport (i.e. referees, coaches and managers).
Services provided
Sport information support
Information regarding local sport opportunities (e.g. clubs, training groups, performance coaches, opportunities to coach / manage teams, competitions).
Student–athlete academic support
Help in balancing sporting and academic goals and where appropriate help in negotiating extensions to assignments and exam changes due to sporting commitments.
Performance enhancement support
Information and help in accessing a range of specialist sport science services such as strength and conditioning programmes, injury prevention, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, mental skills training, and nutritional support.
Access to support services
As a University of Otago or Otago Polytechnic student you have access to wide range of support services including mental health and wellbeing, medical, financial support and more. We can provide more information on services available and how to access these.
If you need to see a friendly face and have a chat, get in touch with one of the team or drop in and visit us. We are happy just to listen and provide a safe and judgement free space.
University of Otago Sport Mentorship Programme
Students that have signed up for the University of Otago Sport Mentorship Programme will be offered opportunities to come together to share their experiences and learn from the experience of others. These sessions will also help us understand student athlete needs and how we can further support them.
Sign up for the University of Otago Sport Support Programme
University & Tertiary Sport New Zealand (UTSNZ)
The University of Otago is a member of the UTSNZ programme which provides student athletes the opportunity to compete against other New Zealand Universities in a variety of sports throughout the year.
View the 2024 UTSNZ competition calendar
For information regarding trials, follow our social media channels.