2025 National Tertiary Championship Series Unveiled
University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand (UTSNZ) is excited to reveal the full schedule for the 2025 National Tertiary Championship series, promising an array of opportunities for tertiary students nationwide. The eight sports that have comprised the series in recent years feature once again, as universities prepare to do battle for the coveted tertiary shield.
The National Tertiary Championship Series forms the backbone of UTSNZ's calendar, providing a platform for tertiary athletes to showcase their talents and compete at the highest level within New Zealand – a pinnacle event for many tertiary athletes across New Zealand.
The series again begins with Rowing over Easter weekend, followed by Badminton, 3x3 Basketball and Volleyball which will bring semester one to a close. The second half of the series kicks off with Futsal, followed by Ultimate, Basketball and concluding with Netball in late-September.
After winning last year’s National Tertiary Championship Series at the final event of the year, the University of Canterbury will be striving to defend the shield for a third year running. With a clean slate of points heading into this year’s series, the rest of the field will fancy their chances at accumulating points and lifting the shield in September.
Also awarded alongside the shield is Te Kaitiaki, the taonga that is presented to the national tertiary spirit champion. Defending champions Victoria University of Wellington showed the consistency required to win the award last year as they sat atop the standings throughout the whole of 2024. With only two universities etched into Te Kaitiaki’s plaque, the majority of the field will be hoping to win it for the first time.
In addition to the on-field action, off-court opportunities remain in abundance through UTSNZ’s Workforce Development Programme (UTSNZ WDP). This programme, run in conjunction with the National Tertiary Championship series, offers a holistic array of benefits, extending beyond the field of play to provide students with practical experiences aligning with their academic goals.
Participation in the UTSNZ WDP offers a host of benefits, including the development of essential skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and time management. Moreover, it serves as a gateway for students to explore potential career paths and connect with experienced professionals within the sports industry.
The programme is practical, offering valuable hands-on experience in a real-world setting. This application of academic knowledge enriches understanding and competence in chosen fields of interest while facilitating networking opportunities with industry professionals.
As UTSNZ opens the doors to an exciting year of sport and development opportunities, tertiary students are encouraged to embrace the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and personal growth.
For more information and to get involved, follow the links below.
Posted: Mon 17 Feb 2025
