Waiariki Academy of Sport
A place where young talented athletes can prioritise their sport
Waiariki Academy of Sport was launched in 2007 to provide an environment where young, talented athletes of the region can prioritise their sport while also gaining a tertiary qualification.
In 2007, five athletes were awarded a three-year scholarship waiving their fees for the duration of their studies, as well as full support in sport science and medicine. Since then the academy has grown to 70 on two levels of support.
Sport science and medicine support is managed by the Academy of Sport staff. Services to athletes include individual programme planning, testing, and prescription in areas such as exercise physiology, physical training and conditioning, and nutrition. Academy staff work with the athletes, their individual coaches, and their mentors to provide complete support through training and competition.
The Waiariki region offers ideal training environments in numerous sports. Besides the major sports, the academy focuses on those for which this region is so well known, including mountain biking, kayaking and golf.
Modelled on the New Zealand Academy of Sport System
The academy is modelled on High Performance Sport New Zealand's (HPSNZ) system that delivers support to New Zealand's most elite athletes. The academy bridges the gap between when athletes leave secondary school and when they reach the fully supported HPSNZ system.
Training Squads: Bike, Kayak/Waka Ama, Golf, and General
Facilities: Performance Centre and services, Sport and recreation centre, and Nine-hole golf training facility
For more information, please email sport@waiariki.ac.nz or see our online application.
Sport Bay of Plenty CEO Wayne Werder comments on the Academy of Sport:
"Sport Bay of Plenty are thrilled to support Waiariki's Academy of Sport, in nurturing young sporting talent in the region. It is a fantastic opportunity for athletes to remain in their home region while gaining full support to their sport, a tertiary qualification, and access to one of the world’s best natural training environments. Waiariki’s links to the New Zealand Academy of Sport, SPARC’s high performance network, ensures both excellence and opportunity.”
