Staff vs Student showdown kicks off with controversy and competition

The series opened with a spirited football match on the Manawatū campus, which ended with a healthy dose of playful controversy. Despite rain threatening to wash out the day, the skies cleared just enough to let the much-anticipated match go ahead.

Both sides brought high energy and strong sportsmanship, with Sports Coordinator Chris Sharrock commending all participants on their enthusiasm making it an event to remember.

Team Staff struck first with an early goal, but Team Students answered just before full-time. In an unusual twist, the match concluded with a final score of 1-0.5 to Staff, thanks to a unique scoring adjustment. A rule variation, triggered by an excess of players on the field, led to the awarding of a controversial half-point to the student side. The call, made by Manager of Fitness and Recreation Services and game referee Ron Werner, sparked friendly debate on social media, with students questioning whether the ruling was fair.

Despite the drama, the match was a crowd-pleaser and reaffirmed its place as a much-loved annual fixture. Both teams are already looking forward to a rematch next year.

In April, the spotlight shifted to the Ōtehā campus for a fast-paced indoor cricket match at the Rec Centre. The game brought staff and students together for an hour of lively, laughter-filled competition.

The students came out swinging in the first round, securing a 68-47 win. But the fun didn’t stop there as everyone agreed to play a second match, which the staff team won 63-39, levelling the series.

High Performance Coordinator Rohan Das says the day was a great success.

“We all had a lot of fun, and now everyone wants to know when the next match is. It was a great way to connect with students and colleagues while doing something active. It really gave us a mental reset.”

With more events lined up across the campuses throughout the year, there’s plenty of time for one side to take the lead and for new moments of sporting glory (or controversy!) to unfold.

Want to get involved? Register for a future event here.