Building careers through sport

Now, the recent Bachelor of Business graduate is preparing to start her new role with Event Promotions, one of Aotearoa New Zealand's leading sport event management companies, after gaining hands-on industry experience through her studies.

Lizzie's journey was shaped by Massey's work-integrated learning opportunities, completing placements with Sport Manawatū as part of the Sport and Exercise Practicum and Professional Development for the Sport Industry courses.

During her placement, she helped deliver regional sporting events and worked as an Active Transport Advisor, supporting cycling initiatives in schools as part of Sport Manawatū's Play, Active Recreation and Sport team. Outside of her placement, she also volunteered at community events run by Palmerston North Athletics, Manawatū Striders and the Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge held on Massey's Manawatū campus.

Those experiences not only gave her practical skills but also introduced her to people working across the industry. It was after volunteering at the Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge that she was offered her new role.

Lizzie says the placements gave her a much better understanding of how the sector works.

"Through networking and collaborating with regional organisations, I built strong professional relationships and developed a much better understanding of how the industry operates."

School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Professor Andy Martin says Lizzie's experience highlights the value of work-integrated learning, an approach that remains central to Massey's programmes in sport and exercise.

"Students have the opportunity to apply what they've learned in real workplaces while they're still studying. It builds confidence, develops practical skills and helps them establish the professional connections that are so important when starting a career."

That emphasis on industry experience will continue as Massey introduces an updated Bachelor of Sport and Exercise programme for 2027, giving students more flexibility and clearer study pathways.

The refreshed programme includes a new exercise science major, aligning with international best practice, a flexible pathway for students who want to study across sport and exercise without specialising and a more clearly defined pathway for physical education graduates who want to become primary or secondary school teachers through postgraduate teacher education.

The sport development major also provides knowledge in topics such as sport sociology, sport event management, coaching and the effective coordination of sport organisations. Students can study either on the Manawatū campus or by distance, with both options leading to the same qualification while offering different learning experiences to suit individual needs.

For students who choose to study on campus, the programme offers opportunities to learn alongside their peers, work closely with academic staff, access specialist facilities and gain practical experience through industry and community partnerships. Distance study continues to provide the flexibility to learn from anywhere while balancing work, family and other commitments.