Latest News

The draw for the upcoming National Tertiary 3×3 Championships – which sees the top men’s and women’s teams from each of New Zealand’s eight universities competing over two spectacular days – has been announced. Catch all the action this weekend as Massey University hosts the National Tertiary 3x3 Championship, tipping off the first of UTSNZ’s National Tertiary Championship Series events for 2022. Read more here.

The Chengdu 2021 Summer World University Games will now take place in 2023. Following extensive discussions between FISU, the Chengdu 2021 Organising Committee and other stakeholders, a decision has been made to further postpone the Chengdu Games until 2023. The Chengdu Games had initially been scheduled for the summer of 2021, but were rescheduled to take place 2022 due to the on-going effects of the Covid19 pandemic and concerns for player welfare. Read more here.

University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand (UTSNZ) is excited to announce that in partnership with School Sport New Zealand (SSNZ), the NZTG has been extended to include tertiary institution staff in recognition that the health of the teaching profession is essential for the development and support of New Zealand students. Read more on the 2022 event and partnership here.

Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington student Jason Nel has joined the UTSNZ team as the new Marketing Intern for 2022. A second year Bachelor of Commerce student majoring in Marketing and Management, Jason’s primary role is to ensure student voice is maintained throughout UTSNZ’s marketing strategy with the key deliverable being the monthly student e-newsletter ‘Compete & Connect’.

UTSNZ signs a multi-year hosting agreement with Sport Manawatu and the Palmerston North City Council which will see the best university sports teams in the country descend on Te Papa-i-Oea in one championship sport each year through until 2024. Read more on the hosting agreement here.

Following consideration by the Universities Committee a decision has been made to postpone the 2022 Aon NZ University Championships that were scheduled for 8th and 9th April 2022 in Whanganui. The reason for the postponement is due to the ongoing uncertainly around COVID.

Climbing New Zealand is pleased to announce the selection of 4 athletes to compete at the FISU World University Climbing Championships to be held in Innsbruck, Austria from the 14th to the 17th of June 2022.

The Board of University and Tertiary Sport NZ (UTSNZ) has made the difficult decision not to send a New Zealand team to the Chengdu 2022 World University Games. Click to read the full announcement.

UTSNZ has published its new strategic plan that will guide the organisation’s growth and development over the next four years. The plan sets out the organisation’s strategic focus areas, each with a series of targeted goals. To read more about the strategy and for a copy click here. 

Tertiary beach volleyball athletes from around the country congregated on Mount Maunganui's Main Beach on Friday the 21st of January, with national titles and medals on the line in three divisions.

We know from research, and what young people have told us that sport and school are very closely connected. Sport gives students a sense of belonging and connection when they’re interacting with their mates. Sport is a great way to help manage anxiety and stress for young people, and students who are involved in sport tend to realise their potential in the classroom with better academic results. UTSNZ speaks to Year 13 students Ashleigh Bindon and Jade Fairley to find out more.

UTSNZ is excited to announce the details of the eight National Tertiary Championship events for 2022, with universities now planning their campaigns in hope of lifting one of the major awards on the line next year. The calendar sees no change from the eight sports that were scheduled to be contested in 2021 which are set to bring together over 1200 students from across the country.

UTSNZ, in conjunction with our event partners, are pleased to announce the details of all eight of the National Tertiary Championship events for 2022.

After several weeks of action from some of the top talent in universities all across New Zealand, the UTSNZ Tertiary Esports League has finally come to an end. The Red Bull-sponsored tournament saw a thrilling Grand Finals with the University of Auckland’s You Oh Aye and Step Siblings taking home the crowns for League of Legends and VALORANT, respectively. Check out the full article from Asura World here.

This month UTSNZ bids farewell to our Marketing Intern for 2021, AUT postgraduate marketing student Chloe Bardsley. Alongside putting together this e-newsletter every month, Chloe assisted the marketing team at the National Tertiary Badminton Championship and provided student insight to UTSNZ in a number of key areas.

University and Tertiary Sport NZ (UTSNZ) is excited to announce the appointment of two new board members - Joe Hitchcock and Joanna Kelly. Read more on the recent appointments here.

University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand (UTSNZ) is pleased to announce the winners of the National Tertiary Championship Shield and Te Kaitiaki - the National Tertiary Spirit award. These awards honour New Zealand's best student athletes and tertiary sports teams. More on the winners here.

UTSNZ, in partnership with Netball NZ, have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 National Tertiary Netball Championship that was scheduled to be held at the Auckland Netball Centre on 25-26 September.

Due to the ongoing alert level restrictions in place, the decisions to cancel the Tertiary Rugby Sevens Challenge and postpone the University Team Sailing Championships have been made in conjunction with our event partners.

UTSNZ, in partnership with NZ Ultimate, the University of Waikato and Waikato Ultimate, have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 National Tertiary Ultimate Championships that were scheduled to be held at the University of Waikato on 18-19 September.

UTSNZ, in partnership with Basketball NZ, have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Tertiary National Championships that was scheduled to be held at the AUT North Campus on 17-19 September