Balancing your sport and study
Te Herenga Waka is here to help you navigate your sport and study studies successfully. See a brief guide and some key tips to help you stay on track.
Be proactive and start conversations
Connect with your student success adviser—they're your go-to person for support with your academic goals, understanding your degree requirements and making informed decisions about your study pathway.
Meet your course co-ordinators
Don’t be whakamā. Say hello to the lecturers. Introduce yourself. Let them know when conflicts with sports arise.
Plan and communicate early
The sooner you plan your schedule and notify your lecturers and student success adviser about upcoming sporting commitments, the easier it is to find flexible solutions.
Engage with University Recreation
Your University Recreation Sports team is your key contact for athlete support. They’ll connect you with the right people and help you navigate the balance between sport and study.
Understand the process
Build your personal brand
Take ownership of your journey. Respond to emails, engage with staff, and show initiative—these habits build a positive reputation.
Stay on top of deadlines
Good time management is essential to meet both your academic and sporting commitments without compromise.
Know your eligibility
Familiarise yourself with the Assessment Handbook criteria—13.1 General Principles: athletes must be competing at a minimum of national or international representative level to be eligible for special consideration.
Academic advocates
And finally, there is a named senior academic who will help you if there are any challenging hurdles to managing your sporting and your academic commitments. Your student success adviser will help you to contact the academic advocate.
Meet the team
The Sports team can help you with anything related to being a high-performance student athlete—including funding, academic support, training, and balancing your sport with study.
Conor O'Fee
Sports and Clubs Manager
Student and Campus Living · University Recreation Wellington
Callan Hughes
Sports Administrator
University Recreation