Academy athletes going the extra mile to give back

Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Academy of Sport supports emerging and high-performance athletes to achieve both their academic and sporting goals, offering a range of benefits including academic planning, practical seminars, individualised support and access to travel funding for international competition.

But alongside these resources comes a responsibility: Academy athletes serve as sporting ambassadors for the university, contributing to their communities through participation and volunteering.

High Performance Coordinator Tamara Scott-Valath says this requirement plays a vital role in developing well-rounded individuals.

“The participation requirement helps athletes strengthen leadership and communication skills and provides a sense of community, which are all essential both in, and beyond, sport. Our goal is to support people who understand the value of giving back and are ready to step into leadership roles, on and off the field. It gives them a broader sense of purpose, and there are so many ways to approach it depending on the athlete’s interests and goals.”

Helping kids give it a TRY

When the organisers of the Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon in Palmerston North put out the call for more volunteers, Academy athletes were quick to step up.

Artistic roller skater Phoenix Reid rallied help from both her skating club and her Academy peers, bringing together a team that included fellow artistic roller skaters Claudia McLean and Ben Shirley, archer Chisora Hada, cyclist Georgia Simpson, and canoe polo athletes Hayley Austin and Alyssa Shepherd.

Stationed at the swim start line, the group were among the first faces the young participants saw after leaving their parents.

“We did our best to keep the atmosphere light and fun despite the fast pace of getting groups into the pool, and the experience was lots of fun. It was good to be able to represent the university and Academy in a positive way, and to be part of an event that encourages kids to get active and have a go,” Phoenix says.

Parents of the participants and the Weet-Bix team praised the Academy students for their teamwork and efficiency, and Phoenix has ensured the Academy will be directly connected with organisers for next year’s event.

Giving back to where it all began

Footballer Olivia Ingham, the first female player to join the Wellington Phoenix academy, chose to fulfill her ambassador role by visiting her former school, Rāroa Intermediate. Speaking to 700 students in a full-school assembly, she shared insights into life as a professional footballer and how she balances that with her Bachelor of Sport and Exercise study.

“It was really cool to be back at the school that first taught me the importance of getting involved, staying active and giving things a go. I wanted to remind the students to play as many sports as they can and have fun,” Olivia says.

Olivia also reflects on how the school’s ASPIRE values continue to guide her in sport and life. Reconnecting with old teachers was a highlight, reminding her how formative those early years were in building her confidence and mindset.

“It felt good to be able to give something back and hopefully inspire others to be persistent, stay curious and enjoy the process.”

On campus and in the community

At the recent Manawatū campus Open Day, Academy students volunteered at the Sport Massey stand, speaking with prospective students about what it’s like to study and compete at a high level with the Academy’s support.

Several of the Academy athletes have also volunteered their time to student-led research projects, contributing valuable insights and sharing their experiences to help advance knowledge in areas like athlete health and performance optimisation.

These are just some of the ways our athletes go beyond the game, demonstrating that success isn’t measured only in medals but in leadership, service and the positive impact they have on their communities.

Learn about the Academy of Sport programme for high-performance athletes studying at Massey.