Sport

Study to find answers in the fat-fit debate

Wed, 23 May 2012 00:05:00 +1200

James Stewart

A Massey University master’s student hopes to find out if obese but active people are better off than those who are slim but inactive.

James Stewart, based at the School of Sport and Exercise at the Wellington campus, is looking for male participants from the Wellington region for his study.

“We are comparing exercise economy between obese-fit and normal weight-unfit males,” Mr Stewart says. “Exercise economy is a measure of efficiency during exercise and a predictor of overall exercise performance.”

“It’s an exercise study that will require the participants to use a treadmill to test their fitness,” he says. “It will test them up to 85 per cent of capacity, so won’t be too difficult.”

As well as the exercise test, participants will also get a full analysis of their health history and an exercise assessment and prescription, for no cost.

“We work up a complete risk factor assessment for each participant that includes blood pressure, a cholesterol test, glucose levels and an electrocardiography assessment,” he says.

From the scientific health assessment an exercise programme could be developed for each participant, that they could then use to boost fitness, working at a level that suited their current fitness level.

Two groups are needed for the study, unfit-normal-weight males with a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.99 kg·m2 and fit-obese males between 30 and 39.99 kg·m2.

“Current research suggests those individuals who are overweight but active are of a higher level of fitness and have better health than those people who may be an ideal weight, but don’t exercise,” Mr Stewart says. “I want to test that theory further.

“We hope to find further evidence to support the importance of cardiovascular fitness and maintaining an active lifestyle.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the study can contact: J.A.Stewart@massey.ac.nz.

Olympian takes time out to graduate

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:04:00 +1200

Olympic rower Hamish Bond is capped at one of the College of Business
ceremonies at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna

Olympic rower Hamish Bond took time out from his hectic training schedule this week to attend his Massey University graduation ceremony. He was capped with his Bachelor of Business Studies on Wednesday afternoon, after eight years of part-time, extramural study.

“It’s been a long road and it’s definitely been good to get it finished before heading into the Olympics,” says the three-time world champion and Olympic gold medal hope. “I’m pleased that I chipped away at it, doing one or two papers a semester, and I got there in the end.”

Mr Bond is currently in training camp with the New Zealand rowing team in Cambridge, but says Rowing New Zealand was very supportive of athletes pursuing their education. “Graduations or a close relative’s funeral – they’re about the only things you can weasel your way out of training for,” he jokes.

Training is “pretty much a full-time job at the moment”, says Mr Bond, and the team is currently in its most intense block of training before the Olympics. “I’m on the water five hours per day, six days a week – but things like eating become a job, stretch and physio takes up time, and even resting properly is part of your job.”

With Olympic preparations an all-consuming activity, it was a relief for Mr Bond to complete his final paper during summer school and to concentrate fully on rowing. But taking the afternoon off to attend his graduation ceremony was a welcome break.

“It was great,” he said after the capping ceremony. “It was nice to meet the other students.”

Mr Bond is also grateful for the flexibility offered by Massey University’s distance learning programme, and says it was the only way he could make study and training work.

“I started off at Otago but when I made the New Zealand rowing team I had to relocate to Cambridge. I could have gone to Waikato, I guess, but it would have been too hard to train and try to fit lectures around it. When you are in a crew boat with other people, it’s not like you can train when you’ve got free time. You have to be there at a specific time and lectures get thrown out of the window.

“Distance learning is so much easier than travelling to go to lectures, and now Massey even facilitates you doing exams overseas. It’s all worked out pretty well for me, I’m just glad I persisted.”

While rowing is Mr Bond’s sole focus for the immediate future, he says he is also looking towards his post-rowing life.

“I’m not sure what I want to do yet really, but I have a degree in finance so it will be something in that area to start off with. One of the good things about rowing is that I have made some relatively influential contacts and connections that may help to open doors in the future,” he says.

And is further study on the cards? “Not at this stage. I want to test the waters a wee bit in the real world. But once I know what I’m actually interested in, I might look at more study.”

Bond was one of more than 1000 students to graduate during Massey University’s six Albany campus ceremonies. Graduation ceremonies will take place in Palmerston North and Wellington in May.

Alumni award recognises Henry's leadership

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:03:00 +1200

Read the special edition of DefiningNZ magazine

Rugby World Cup winning coach Sir Graham Henry, Russia-based economist and merchant banker Stephen Jennings and highly regarded New Zealand businesswoman and company director Sue Suckling are among those recognised as distinguished alumni of Massey University at an awards function in Wellington tonight.

Sir Graham Henry, who graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Education, won the supreme honour – the Sir Geoffrey Peren Medal – at this year’s Defining Excellence Awards.

The awards recognise achievements by Massey graduates and by staff in research and teaching. Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey says Massey aims to be New Zealand's defining university through its contribution to the future of the nation. "We do that by taking the best of the new New Zealand to the rest of the world. Of course, it is people who make the actual difference. Massey has outstanding staff and high-achieving alumni located all over the globe. Tonight we recognise their contribution to both the University and to the wider community."

The Sir Geoffrey Peren Medal, named after Massey founding principal, recognises a graduate who has reached the highest level of achievement in business or professional life or who has been of significant service to the University, community or nation.

Sir Graham's award is in recognition of his teaching and rugby coaching. He was a teacher at Auckland Grammar School when he studied by distance learning for his degree over six years and he was headmaster of Kelston Boys' High School for nine years before becoming a professional rugby coach in 1996.

He credits his university and teaching days with giving him the skills to become the nation's premier rugby coach. “I was involved in education for 25 years. I loved it and got a lot of personal satisfaction out of it,” he says.

Mr Jennings was also honoured with the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. Mr Jennings has achieved phenomenal success in his chosen field, surviving multiple economic challenges, including several global financial crises, to be one of the top market makers in the Russian merchant-banking sector.

He says his professional life and career really kicked off at Massey “My love and passion formally began during my time at Massey University and my aspiration to go and work for the New Zealand treasury also developed in that time,” he says. “The economics I began to learn during those years, together with having an open kiwi mind-set, has helped me on many occasions to look objectively at opportunities and to persevere with opportunities in countries that many other people at that time were just too scared to tread.”

Other alumni honoured at the ceremony are Sue Suckling (Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for her contribution to science, innovation and business), Dennis Oliver (Distinguished Alumni Service Award for service to the community and nation) and Luke Di Somma (Distinguished Young Alumni Award for his contribution to music).

Others recognised for their achievements in research and teaching were:

Massey University Research Medals (2011)
Individual – Professor Paul Moughan, Early Career – Dr Lara Shepherd, Supervisor – Professor Michael McManus, Team – Sleep/Wake Research Centre.

Teaching Excellence Awards (2011)
Sustained Commitment to Teaching Excellence Awards – Dr Mark Henrickson, Dr Nigel Parsons and Dr Gina Salapata. Excellence in Teaching First-Year Students – Professor Tony Signal. Excellence in Teaching Support – Neil Ward. The Darrylin O’Dea Award in the Field of e-Learning – Dr Brennon Wood.

Campus hosts women's cycle tour

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:02:00 +1200

Team Kiwi

Associate Professor Steve Stannard

The Manawatu campus hosted the opening stage of the New Zealand Women’s Cycle Tour on Wednesday night.

Associate Professor Steve Stannard, head of the School of Sport and Exercise, welcomed the international field to the campus at a presentation event before the 7km time trial began.

The time trial was won by Kristin Armstrong of the United States.

This year, the tour features a number of Massey University student-athletes, including Linda Villumsen, Emily Collins, Emma Crum and Rachel Southee.

The tour includes the national teams from New Zealand, the United States, Italy, Japan and a host of other professional riders.

Massey University Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey will present the winner’s jersey at the finish line in Palmerston North’s square on Sunday.

Team Massey rider wins national one day event

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:12:00 +1200

Virginia Thompson.

Team Massey rider Virginia Thompson has taken out the one star class at the weekend’s national one-day event held at the Richfield thoroughbred stud farm near Te Kauwhata.

Ms Thompson, riding Ashbury Pee Cee, led throughout on her dressage score against a strong field that included current eventing world cup champion Clarke Johnstone.

The one star class is considered an indicator of future elite level horse and rider combinations, and the ability of Ms Thompson to run clear over the international level course at the one day champs make her one of the favourites for the Puhinui three-day event to be held next week.

Massey University is the proud sponsor of the Young Rider Series, which runs throughout the season and is a recognised stable for the most promising young event riders in the country.

The weekend’s win now sees Ms Thompson sitting fourth in the Massey University Young Rider Series. However the two star event was won by South Islander James Avery who extended his lead in the series. To overtake him Ms Thompson must secure a win, and the double points on offer, at Puhinui.

Recent Team Massey graduate and Pro Am series leader Ben Bateman has had an excellent start to the season with Fiber Fresh Façade and developed an early lead in the points series. Heading into the Puhinui event he has maintained his lead in the series but requires a good placing and bonus points maintain his lead.

Fellow Team Massey riders Rochelle McGregor and Alana Alexander will also ride at next week’s three day event.

The Team Massey programme provides mentoring and support from some of the country’s leading coaches, sport scientists and veterinarians to ensure riders can achieve both academic and equestrian excellence.

Massey equine leader Dr Chris Rogers says the University had a long involvement with the development of equestrian talent and sponsorship of the young rider series is a natural extension of our involvement in the equine industry.

“Place getters in the series are given access the Massey University rider development programme,” he says. “Massey is the leading equine education provider in the southern hemisphere, so being involved with this series is a great fit.”

Leadership from within key to All Blacks' RWC success

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:10:00 +1200

Tom Johnson is studying the All Blacks’ team culture for his PhD (Photo courtesy of Dominion Post).

The All Blacks’ success in reaching the finals of the Rugby World Cup is no surprise to Massey University PhD student Tom Johnson.

The former All Black trialist and New Zealand Rugby Union council member has been investigating the winning ethos and organisational factors in developing the team culture for his doctoral thesis.

His findings indicate that the pride in the All Blacks’ legacy, pride in selection and pride in winning are constant factors in their success. Symbols such as the jersey and the silver fern are clearly important as well as rituals, such as the haka, which has become increasingly important.

Mr Johnson, 73, has conducted in-depth interviews with All Black captains and coaches from the past 60 years. He says one of the key findings of his research is the strong senior collective leadership that has been ever present.

“Originally led by senior players on the back seat of the bus, this internal leadership has been formalised by the current coaching team and has proved to be very effective,” he says in his study.

“The learning culture within the team has emphasised constant improvement through scientific use of exercise physiology, video analysis, nutrition, and developing effective decision making on and off the field.

“The importance placed on winning has remained consistent. It is anticipated that these findings will be transferable to other sports team contexts and assist in the organisational development of sport team culture.”

His supervisor Associate Professor Andy Martin, of Massey University’s School of Sport and Exercise, says “Tom’s thesis provides a fascinating insight into the All Blacks’ culture and his background as a business and rugby leader provide unique experiences as a researcher."

Mr Johnson, a former Hawke's Bay loose forward, has also been supervised by former Black Ferns captain and triple Rugby World Cup winner Dr Farah Palmer.

He is working on final changes to this thesis and plans to graduate next year. He was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit earlier the year for his service to rugby.

Olympic rower and surf life saver win top honours

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:10:00 +1200

Group photo of the Manawatu-Wellington Blues recipients

Hamish Bond won the BNZ Manawatu-Wellington
Sportsman of the Year.

Ayla Dunlop-Barrett won the BNZ Manawatu-Wellington
Sportswoman of the Year.

Olympic rower Hamish Bond and surf life saver Ayla Dunlop-Barrett have been crowned the BNZ Manawatu-Wellington Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year by Massey University.

It is the second consecutive year Mr Bond has won the accolade and follows a two-year reign as National Blues Awards Sportsperson of the Year. A reigning world champion in the rowing pairs, he won gold medals in this year’s world cups in Hamburg and Lucerne and was first in the nationals.

Ms Dunlop-Barrett won gold in this year’s open women’s surf belt race in the Australian championships and the National SLS Championships. She also took out a host of places including securing New Zealand record in the obstacle relay in the World Rescue Championships in Egypt last year.

Both are studying a Bachelor of Business Studies and were selected from 59 Blues award recipients representing 20 different sports. Blues recipients are recognised for their performance in representing New Zealand in their chosen sport while successfully progressing in their academic studies.

Dunedin-born Mr Bond and his rowing partner Eric Murray, a fellow Bachelor of Business studies student, have been undefeated for three years as they head to the London Olympics 2012. Despite a packed schedule involving training in Cambridge and competing here and overseas, he is now close to completing his degree and has achieved Dean’s List status for top grades.

Ms Dunlop-Barrett, of Taranaki, was unable to attend the presentation due to sporting commitments.

The presentation was made in the Awapuni Function Centre in Palmerston North.

Paul Henare, former Tall Blacks and NZ Breakers’ basketball player was guest speaker at the dinner and spoke about the team’s experiences winning the NBL Championship.

Earlier this year, Massey was the first New Zealand university to sign up to the Athlete Friendly Tertiary Network set up by the New Zealand Academy of Sport to support New Zealand’s high performance athletes to combine their sporting and academic aspirations.

2011 Massey University Blues awarded - Manawatu
Adrian Blincoe (Athletics)
Scott Burch (Athletics)
Andy Kruy (Athletics)
Ryan Tinkle (Athletics)
Zachary Topping (Athletics)
Kelly O’Donnell (Barefoot Waterskiing)
Tim Cleaver (Basketball)
Logan Funnell (Basketball)
Bridgette Lawn (Basketball)
Angus Donaldson (Boxing)
Erin Bolton (Canoe Polo)
Julie Bolton (Canoe Polo)
Carl Duncan (Canoe Polo)
Olivia Spencer-Bower (Canoe Polo)
Louise Jull (Canoe Slalom)
Aaron Osborne (Canoe Slalom)
Kate Broadmore (Cricket)
Rachel Candy (Cricket)
Dane Cleaver (Cricket)
Tarun Nethula (Cricket)
Dean Robinson (Cricket)
Peter Latham (Cycling)
Rachel Southee (Cycling)
Sophie O’Brien (Handball)
Jake Blanks (Hockey)
Elizabeth Horne (Hockey)
Nick Wilson (Hockey)
Jason Anderson (Kayak)
Sasha Smith (Mountain Bike)
Jodi Beaumont (Netball)
Amber Bellringer (Netball)
Whitney Cassidy (Netball)
Freyja Phillips (Rollerskating)
Genevieve Armstrong (Rowing)
Harriet Austin (Rowing)
Genevieve Behrent (Rowing)
Hamish Bond (Rowing)
Anna Reymer (Rowing)
John Storey (Rowing)
Francie Turner (Rowing)
Storm Uru (Rowing)
Simon Watson (Rowing)
Nick Annear (Rugby)
Mitchell Crosswell (Rugby)
Nick Crosswell (Rugby)
Callum Gibbins (Rugby)
Sarah Goss (Rugby)
David Hall (Rugby)
Kasiano Lealamanua (Rugby)
Deacon Manu (Rugby)
Hamish Northcott (Rugby)
Joseph Watts (Squash)
Ayla Dunlop-Barrett (Surf Life Saving)
Natalie Paterson (Table Tennis)
Kane Baigent (Taekwon-do)
Michael Davis (Taekwon-do)
Estelle Speirs (Taekwon-do)
Hamish Hammond (Triathlon)
William O’Connor (Triathlon)

Top student athletes honoured at Blues Awards

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:10:00 +1200

L to R (back row): Rick Child (on behalf of Simon Child, Hockey), Nielsen Varoy (Swimming), Matthew Stanley (Swimming), Ashleigh Grant (Waterpolo), Lucie Tait-Jamieson (Alpine Skiing), Sarah Cowley (Athletics), Scott Bicknell (Canoe Sprint & Surf Life Saving), Bradley Schmulian (Cricket), Edward Rawles (Triathlon)
L to R (front row): Travis Larsen (Rugby), Kristina Watson (Water Polo), Amaka Gessler (Swimming), Moss Burmester (Swimming), Lisa Carrington (Canoe Sprint), Avalon Biddle (Motor Racing), Kelly Pelham (Sport Aerobics), Rebecca Watkin, (Karate) Emma Crumm (Cycling),

Extramural Students’ Society Sportsperson of the Year Award Amaka Gessler
and BNZ Albany campus Sportswoman of the Year Lisa Carrington with their awards.

BNZ Albany campus Sportsman of the Year Simon Child

Olympics-bound canoe sprinter Lisa Carrington and Black Sticks hockey star Simon Child were last night crowned the BNZ Albany campus Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year.

Swimmer Amaka Gessler received the Extramural Students’ Society Sportsperson of the Year Award at a celebration dinner in the Sir Neil Waters lecture theatre.

The Massey University students were selected from 33 Blues Award recipients representing 20 different sports. Blues recipients are recognised for their performance in representing New Zealand in their chosen sport while successfully progressing in their academic studies.

Ms Carrington, (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-ā-Māhaki), who is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts in Māori studies and politics, recently won a gold meal in the women’s K1 200m and qualified for the London Olympics next year. She also won gold in the same event at the 2011 World Cup in Germany, and a gold medal at the 2011 National and Oceania Combined Championships in the women’s K1 500m and women’s K4 200m.

It is the second year in a row Ms Carrington has won the award and she congratulated all the nominees saying it was “awesome” to hear all their achievements over the past year.

Mr Child, a third year Bachelor of Business Studies student, was a key player in the Black Sticks team, which won bronze at the Commonwealth Games last year. He could not attend as he is currently preparing for a match against Australia in the Oceania Cup when he will receive his 150th cap. His father, Rick, accepted the award on his behalf. He said his son would be in position next year where he had managed to complete a degree while playing hockey at top-level tournaments around the world.

“That is due to what happens here and what Massey puts in, it’s just great,” said Mr Child. “Simon will be absolutely delighted to win this award.”

Double Commonweath Games medallist Ms Gessler, who is in her third year of a Bachelor of Science, received her extramural award for achieving outstanding results in her studies whilst competing on the world stage. A member of the New Zealand swimming team, she won a silver in the 200m freestyle relay and bronze in the 100m relay in Delhi last year.

Speaking about her award she said: “I really wasn’t expecting to win this because there are so many amazing athletes here at Massey it is tough competition.”

Paul Henare, former Tall Blacks and NZ Breakers’ basketball player was guest speaker at the dinner and spoke about his experiences as a young athlete at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Earlier this year, Massey was the first New Zealand university to sign up to the Athlete Friendly Tertiary Network set up by the New Zealand Academy of Sport to support New Zealand’s high performance athletes to combine their sporting and academic aspirations.

Albany campus Blues Awards recipients were:

Brendan Clark (AFL)
Monique Oosterbaan (Alpine Skiing)
Lucie Tait-Jaimeson (Alpine Skiing)
Sarah Cowley (Athletics)
Scott Bicknell (Canoe Sprint & Surf Life Saving – double blue)
Lisa Carrington (Canoe Sprint)
Bradley Schmulian (Cricket)
Emma Crum (Cycling)
Anna Green (Football)
Priyesh Bhana (Hockey)
Samantha Charlton (Hockey)
Simon Child (Hockey)
Gemma Flynn (Hockey)
Hugo Inglis (Hockey)
Arun Panchia (Hockey)
Alister Leat (Judo)
Rebecca Watkin (Karate)
Louise Urwin (Kayak)
Avalon Biddle (Motor Racing)
Travis Larsen (Rugby)
Molly Meech (Sailing)
Sam Meech (Sailing)
Christy Prior (Snowboarding)
Kelly Pelham (Sport Aerobics)
Moss Burmester (Swimming)
Dylan Dunlop-Barrett (Swimming)
Amaka Gessler (Swimming)
Matthew Stanley (Swimming)
Nielsen Varoy (Swimming)
Matthew Woodrow (Swimming)
Edward Rawles (Triathlon)
Ashleigh Grant (Waterpolo)
Kristina Watson (Waterpolo)

Enquiries for 2012 entries contact k.evans@massey.ac.nz

Albany athletes honoured

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:09:00 +1200

Swimmers Amaka Gessler, Matthew Stanley, Adam McDonald, Kurt Bassett, Nielsen Varoy, Glenn Snyders, Natasha Hind, and basketballer Marco Alexander.

Massey’s Albany-based World University Games team members were congratulated on their success at an event this week.

The games are held every four years and are the second largest global multisport event after the Olympics. For many sports, the games are of a comparable or higher standard than the Commonwealth Games.

The New Zealand team won 12 medals, with nine Massey athletes winning medals either individually or as part of a swimming relay team.

Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey told the eight athletes present they were proof that Massey was New Zealand’s leading sports university.

“Massey provides the flexibility and support services that elite athletes need to succeed. It can set you up for both your sporting goals and provide a career after sport.”

Albany campus registrar Andrea Davies said she was proud of the way the athletes had represented the University at an event that is second only in size to the Olympics as a multisport event.

Swimmer Amaka Gessler, who won a silver medal as part of the women’s 4x200 relay team, said the games were tough competition but a lot of fun.

She also thanked Massey for the support it gave the team, particularly the Massey flag featuring messages of support that was sent over. “It was great to know we had that support while we were competing on the international stage.”

World Uni Games the 'trip of a lifetime'

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:09:00 +1200

Natalie Paterson in action at the World University Games.

Assistant Vice-Chancellor Stuart Morriss
congratulates Natalie Paterson.

The trip of a lifetime was how student-athlete Natalie Paterson described her time at the World University Games in Shenzhen, China.

The games are held every four years and are the second largest global multisport event after the Olympics. For many sports, the games are of a comparable or higher standard than the Commonwealth Games.

Ms Paterson, who played table tennis, spoke about her experience at a function at Massey’s Manawatu campus today.

She said the size of the city and the event itself was immense, with the bus ride to the opening ceremony particularly exhilarating. “As soon as we were out of the village, there were swarms of people waiting, waiving and smiling on the streets just to get a glimpse of the athletes!”

Ms Paterson competed in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles at the tournament, and a large crowd watched her first match against a Chinese opponent on the main table.

She won her first round matches in both mixed doubles and women’s doubles in table tennis, and also won one of her pool matches in the singles.

Ms Paterson is a member of the Massey University Academy of Sport. The University’s Elite world Sports Travel Award helped fund her trip to the games.

In all, the New Zealand team won 12 medals. Nine Massey athletes won medals either individually or as part of a swimming relay team.

Assistant Vice-Chancellor Stuart Morriss congratulated Ms Paterson and the rest of the team for their efforts, “These outstanding results highlight how special each of you are, not only as athletes representing your country and university, but as students, balancing a full academic programme alongside your sporting careers.”

Manawatu campus registrar Dr Sandi Shillington said the team members had represented the University well. “All twelve athletes have represented their country and their university with success and on behalf of Massey I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the way in which you have represented us.”

A function will be held at the Albany campus next week to honour the Auckland-based members of the team.

Top harness racing award for student

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:09:00 +1200

Jasmine Tanner and Barney Maguire

Massey University master’s student Jasmine Tanner has won a major harness racing award.

She was named the North Island’s best licence to train/owner trainer at the weekend’s North Island Harness Racing Awards. A licence to train allows her to train as many of her own horses as she likes and up to six horses for clients.

Miss Tanner, who juggles her studies with training three horses at the Manawatu Trotting Club in Palmerston North, was presented with the award at the annual dinner in Auckland.

She rises early to train her horses in the morning before coming to Massey, returning to feed them at night. “It’s a long and busy day but it’s good,” she says.

Her thesis, funded by the New Zealand Racing Board, investigates how racing as a two-year old affects career length and success in both Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses. It will be published in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal and the Equine Veterinary Journal.

Miss Tanner, from Auckland, learned horse training from one of New Zealand’s best trainers, Steven Reid. “I learned a lot of the skills from him,” she says. “It’s about knowing how to bring a horse to peak fitness and maintain them there while trying to prevent injury.”

But she says her studies at Massey University have helped take her training further. “It helps because I now understand more about how training works,” she says. “I’ve learned the physiology, so I can now understand how and why the things we do during training work. I can also try new theories that I’ve learned through that knowledge of the horse’s body system – for example the way you can apply training load to a horse to get the best out of it.”

Her award capped a big year for her stable, led by three-time winner Barney Maguire. “I actually got him as an older horse that had had about 35 starts for another trainer but never really been any good. I got him and turned him around and he ended up winning three races for me with numerous placings as well.”

In all, she had 28 starters for four wins, four seconds and five thirds last year.

Miss Tanner says she is hoping to begin a PhD at Massey next year, again focusing on the equine industry, while continuing to train horses on the side.

Five medals for Massey rowers at world champs

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:09:00 +1200

Storm Uru

Massey student-athletes won five of the nine medals the New Zealand team brought home from the recent World Rowing Championships at Lake Bled in Slovenia.

Leading the way were the men’s pair of Hamish Bond and Eric Murray, and Rebecca Scown – one half of the women’s pair – who won gold.

Students Storm Uru and Peter Taylor won a silver medal in the lightweight men’s double sculls. Bronze medals were won by Anna Raymer in the women’s double sculls, and Fiona Bourke and Sarah Gray in the women’s quadruple sculls.

In all, Massey has 14 athletes who have now qualified for the London Olympics next year within the 12 New Zealand teams. Others to qualify at the regatta were Louise Ayling and Lucy Strack (women’s lightweight double sculls), Ben Hammond and Chris Harris (men’s four), John Storey (men’s quadruple sculls) and Ian Seymour, Sean O’Neill, David Eade and Ivan Pavlich (men’s eight).

They join world sprint kayak champion Lisa Carrington, another Massey student who qualified for the Olympics earlier in the year.

Lincoln takes annual rugby match again

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:09:00 +1200

The teams gather for post-match celebrations.

The players in action at the Lincoln University Campus.

The Massey Ag XV was unable to reclaim the LA Brooks Trophy and MOG shield at the weekend, losing 27-5 to Lincoln University in the annual rugby match.

The rivalry between the two teams was evident in the hard fought battle played in beautiful weather on the Lincoln University campus. Lincoln led throughout the game with four early penalties; although Massey managed to hold them to a modest score until two late tries sealed the win for Lincoln.

There was a great turn out of supporters for both teams with a large contingent from Lincoln and Massey’s Young Farmers’ Clubs.

For the first time netball was added to the weekend’s activities. The Lincoln team had just finished playing its local season, while Massey took a slightly different approach, pulling together a team from the Young Farmers’ Club – some of whom had never played netball before.

Massey did win one competition of the weekend, triumphant in the tug-o-war at half time.

Massey events manager Anna Hamilton says the LA Brooks weekend is a fantastic way for students of both Universities to come together. “They compete on the sporting field but also socialise together,” she says. “Lincoln showed wonderful hospitality and Massey looks forward to hosting the weekend when Lincoln travel to Palmerston North next year. Plans are already underway for a great weekend in 2012.”

Ag rugby pride on the line in annual fixture

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:08:00 +1200

Last year’s match – won by Lincoln – was played in stormy conditions at Massey’s Manawatu campus.

The Massey Ag XV will be out to win back the LA Brooks Trophy when the team travels south for the annual rugby match between Massey and Lincoln universities on Saturday.

The trophy was first contested in 1952 then reinstated seven years ago after a 39-year hiatus.

The winning team also receives the MOG Shield, a wooden trophy bearing a resemblance to a toilet seat.

For the first time, a netball game between Massey and Lincoln is also being played and a group from the Massey University Young Farmers Club is making the trip to cheer on the visiting team. Their Lincoln hosts have arranged for the group to be billeted with Lincoln students.

Alumni relations manager Jasmine Groves says the event provides the opportunity for current and former students to get together. “This year there will be a lot more Massey support on the sidelines,” she says. “There is also an after-match function that will give current and former players the chance to reflect on the friendly rivalry.”

The match kicks off at 2.45pm on Saturday September 3 at the Lincoln University Rugby Fields, Gate Two, Lincoln University.

Record medal haul at world uni games

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:08:00 +1200

Glenn Snyders

Massey University student-athletes were responsible for half of all medals won by the New Zealand team at the World University Games in China this month.

The 12-medal haul sets a new record for New Zealand, which had previously won a total of eight medals at World University Games since 1983. In all, nine Massey athletes won medals either individually or as part of a team.

Commonwealth Games medallist Glenn Snyders won four medals, including two gold in the 50m and 200m breaststroke and silver in the 100m breaststroke. As part of the 4x100m medley relay team Mr Snyders also won a bronze medal with fellow Massey athletes Matthew Stanley and Kurt Bassett.

Mr Basset also won bronze in the 100m backstroke event. Amaka Gessler and Natasha Hind won silver in the 4x200m relay team.

Other Massey swimmers to make finals included Nielsen Varoy (7th, 50m butterfly), Kurt Basset (4th, 50m backstroke), Natasha Hind (4th, 200m freestyle, 6th, 100m freestyle) and Mathew Stanley (4th, 200m freestyle, 6th, 400m freestyle).

Massey heptathlete Sarah Cowley came away with a new personal best in the javelin finishing 9th along with a 7th placing in high jump, 9th in shotput, 12th in the 200m and 18th in the 100m hurdles.

Josh Bloxham and Marco Alexandra finished 21st after close games. Mr Alexandra accounted for 21 points in the 105-55 win over the Philippines. Natalie Paterson won her first-round matches in both mixed doubles and women’s doubles in table tennis but did not qualify in the singles.

The games closed last night. The University is hosting a post-games congratulatory event on the Albany and Manawatu campuses in September.

Big weekend ahead for Massey equestrians

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:08:00 +1200

Team Massey rider Hannah Appleton.

Traditionally the winter months represent a reduction in equestrian activities but this weekend Massey’s top riders will be put through their paces by some of the top dressage coaches in the world.

The Federation Equeste International – equestrian’s world governing body – will hold the FEI regional forum, in conjunction with Dressage NZ and Massey University, at Manfeild Park in Feilding this weekend.

The forum will feature Jeremy Steinberg, the man in charge of the United States equestrian youth coaching programme and Dr Willem Back, director of the Utrecht University equine biomechanics laboratory in the Netherlands. Also providing expertise is Trond Asmyr, the FEI director of dressage from Switzerland and Sussie Hoovenaars, the highest ranked dressage judge in Australasia. Massey’s equine programme leader Dr Chris Rogers and Deb Prattley will also feature.

As part of the University’s commitment to developing tomorrow’s elite riders the Pfizer Youth Forum has been introduced. It is being held today and gives young and junior riders the chance to learn from Steinberg.

Dr Rogers says bringing this type of talent to New Zealand will be of great benefit to Team Massey’s riders in the lead-up to the summer season.

“The opportunity to work with some of the best coaches and equine scientists in the world provides our riders with a great platform and competitive advantage for the coming competition season.”

Team Massey enables elite equestrians to study at Massey while competing at the highest level. Riders receive support from experts in equine nutrition and physiotherapy, as well as human performance experts.

Massey student now world champion

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:08:00 +1200

Lisa Carrington with the cup for Albany sportswoman of the year.

Massey University’s Albany sportswoman of the year Lisa Carrington is now a world champion after winning the K1 200m final in Hungary overnight.

Ms Carrington (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-ā-Māhaki), who is studying towards a Bachelor of Arts in Māori studies and politics, has now qualified for the London Olympics next year.

She beat competitors from 54 other nations in the event at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Szeged, Hungary.

The K1 200m is new to the Olympic programme in 2012.

The 22-year old from Whakatane started kayaking in 2006 and first competed internationally at the 2007 Australian Youth Olympics and 2007 Canoe Sprint World Championships.

She joined the open team in 2009 and since then has been competing annually internationally at world cups and world championships.

Ms Carrington was named Massey’s Albany sportswoman of the year at a ceremony in Auckland last year. She enjoys the flexibility offered at Massey, studying both extramurally and internally, depending on her racing commitments. As a member of the University’s Academy of Sport, she is supported by the University’s high-performance programme.

Earlier this year Massey was the first New Zealand university to sign up to the ‘Athlete Friendly Tertiary Network’ set up by the New Zealand Academy of Sport. The network is made up of tertiary institutions that agree to adopt a set of guiding principles to support New Zealand’s high performance athletes to combine their sporting and academic aspirations.

Students head to Uni games

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:08:00 +1200

Natalie Paterson holds a Massey University flag featuring messages of support from University staff members.

Glenn Snyders

Twelve Massey students are part of a 62-strong New Zealand team who will compete at the World University Games later this month in athletics, men’s basketball, swimming and table tennis.

The World University Games will be held this year in China from August 12-23. Also known as the Universiade, the games are held every four years and are the second largest global high performance multi-sports event after the Olympics.

Massey’s contingent includes New Zealand Breakers championship team member Josh Bloxham who will be part of the basketball team.

Josh is heading to the games on a high from his recent achievement with the New Zealand Breakers team that won their first NBL championship title in April. Josh is in his first year of a Bachelor of Business studies at Massey University. On court with him will be fellow Massey student Marco Alexander

North shore swimmers make up a large proportion of Massey’s contingent with eight athletes set to compete. Four members of the team have just finished competing at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai and will now leave and head to Shenzhen for the University Games.

Amaka Gessler and Natasha Hind were part of the New Zealand women's freestyle relay team that broke the national record twice to take a giant step towards the London Olympics at the world swimming championships in Shanghai.

The women's quartet of Lauren Boyle, Penny Marshall, Amaka and Natasha finished eighth in the final in one minute 56.55 seconds. Making the final earned them an invitation for next year's Olympics with a second qualifying time required at the trials in March to secure a berth for London.

Another Massey student, Dehli Commonwealth games finalist Glenn Snyders, completed an excellent world championship, where he was 10th fastest in semifinals of the 200m breaststroke.

The team also includes Manawatu’s Natalie Paterson who has been selected for table tennis. She is now enrolled in her first year of a Bachelor of Education at the University’s College of Education, and is a member of the University’s Academy of Sport.

Natalie was ranked number one for the under-18 girls individual competition last year, and this year has stepped up to the senior division, placing first in the open women’s doubles at the North Island championships. She also came away as the runner up in the under-21 mixed doubles and 3rd in the under-21 women’s doubles at the Australian senior open championships.

She will be representing Massey University and New Zealand in the singles, doubles and as part of a four-person team in table tennis.

The team includes Rotorua’s Sarah Cowley, who has been selected as a member of the athletics team. This will be Sarah’s second visit to the games having placed 12th in the Long Jump in 2005. This year she will compete in the heptathlon.

Three-time World Cup winner tells ABs to relax

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:08:00 +1200

View all the RWC news, interviews and opinion here

Three-time Rugby World Cup winner Dr Farah Palmer has some sage advice to hand All Blacks’ coach Graham Henry before his upcoming World Cup mission.

“Relax and enjoy it,” says the former Black Ferns skipper and senior lecturer in the College of Business at Massey University. “I would say to Graham Henry he should relax when it comes to the Rugby World Cup. By then he should have done all the work he can do as a coach; he would have selected a bunch of players who he knows can go out there and do the job.”

Dr Palmer – who captained the New Zealand side that won the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup tournament in 1998, and then again in 2002 and 2006 – believes preparation is key to succeeding on the World Cup stage, and not just physically.

“The main thing is that you’ve done your homework, and you’re ready for the tournament. Because once you enter into that tournament situation, you have to be at peak physical fitness and mental preparation, and have all parts of your life sorted. So when you get into the situation you are ready to perform and put all that hard work that you’ve been doing into practice,” she says.

“I’ve won the Rugby World Cup for women three times, and each time that I have been a part of that experience, it has affected my life… in terms of opportunities outside of rugby and also in my confidence in a range of contexts.”

While rugby has opened doors, Dr Palmer’s work at Massey University also boosted her sporting career. She is now a senior lecturer in Massey’s School of Management, where her areas of expertise include governance, legislation, and cultural issues in sport, and education and leadership issues for Māori and women.

“My career at Massey has benefitted my playing career because it’s given me credibility, in terms of being the captain of the Black Ferns, and what I have to say off the field as well as on is taken with a bit more seriousness. And it has definitely helped my leadership in terms of being a rugby player and an athlete,” she says.

That is why Dr Palmer is an advocate of sportspeople balancing their playing careers with tertiary education. University, she says, is an “ideal time” for athletes to pursue their sporting dreams, and leadership development is an area where she believes Massey – New Zealand’s first athlete-friendly university – can make a difference for our sports stars.

“It’s very important for athletes to study because you’ll never know how long your career as an athlete will last, so it’s important to have a backup plan. And it gives you credibility in terms of not only being good at a sport but also having critical thinking skills.”

Dr Palmer is looking forward to the Rugby World Cup, for the spectacular festival both on and off the field. Maori culture, something very close to her heart, will feature strongly throughout the tournament.

“All of the teams will also be going through a powhiri, and a mihi, somewhere in New Zealand, so local iwi and hapu have been given the honour of doing that,” she says.

“There’s also going to be an exhibition at Te Waka Maori on the waterfront in Auckland, and I think Maori throughout New Zealand will also be involved in the festival activities that are going on like Maori rugby tournaments and an enjoyable cultural experience while we have international visitors here.”

Forget magic figures for RWC, says researcher

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:07:00 +1200

Dr Sam Richardson

Attempts to measure the success of the Rugby World Cup in dollar terms could be missing the point, according to a Massey University economics lecturer.

Dr Sam Richardson says the real value will be in the improved stadiums, better transport links and new networks that come with hosting an international sporting event.

He says the actual benefit from hosting it will come down to whether New Zealanders and the rest of the world perceive it has been successful.

Dr Richardson, who researched public spending on major sporting events for his PhD, says the $507 to $700 million bandied about is a lofty and unrealistic figure.

His study of 11 major sporting events in New Zealand found only three had any significant positive effect on the local host economy’s gross domestic product during the event itself – the 1999 Netball World Championship in Christchurch, the A1GP motor race in Taupo and the 2005 British and Irish Lions rugby tour.

“Maybe the Government shouldn’t talk about economic impact,” he says. “I do not think we should be using economic impact as a justification for hosting sporting events. Maybe we should forget the magic figures and focus on the long-term benefits.”

Dr Richardson is sceptical of any argument that suggests we are going to get something tangible out of hosting events. “The bottom line is yes, we are going to bring in visitors, and yes, they will spend money. We also know that the taxpayer will pick up a sizeable chunk of what is expected to be a loss of around $40 million.

“To justify this, what becomes more important is what New Zealanders think of the event, and our enjoyment. If anything it is the value of the ‘warm and fuzzies’ and our perceptions and experience of the event that is a more defendable measure of success.”

Dr Richardson, of the School of Economics and Finance at the Manawatu campus, says the benefits associated with participation might be a better rationale for wanting to host the events than purely economic impact.

“FIFA has selected New Zealand to host the 2015 Under-20 Men’s World Championship. As hosts we get the right to participate, which is huge for us, especially as it is something that can improve the quality of our football.”

He says research from the United States shows the real figure could be gained by moving the decimal point one place to the left.

“Based on the original figure, this would give us $50.7 million – there is an element of truth to that view,” he says. “But we cannot confidently say it is going to bring in so many dollars. If we are justifying government spending on these numbers, it tends to become a creative accounting exercise.”

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