What it’s like to be an elite athlete and a student at UoA
I don’t know about you, but before starting every semester, I set a bunch of goals related to ensuring that I thrive and avoid burnout. Without fail, one of these goals includes getting some form of exercise in my week, such as going to the gym three times. But, as the semester progresses, the post-mid-sem-break deadline pile-up inevitably sees the majority of these goals getting flushed down the toilet, along with my soul. For some University of Auckland students, however, staying active—and I don’t just mean taking a cheeky hot girl walk around the block—is not just a study break but a significant part of their routine.
Sulu and Havana are two University of Auckland Students who competed at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK. Sulu Fitzpatrick is studying part-time towards a Master of Arts in Sociology while vice-captaining the Silver Ferns. She has had a 12-year career in netball, playing for the Northern Mystics, Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, Southern Steel, and the Central Pulse. Havana Hopman is in her first year of Health Science (which she is doing part-time) while practising Rhythmic Gymnastics. 2022 marks the start of Havana’s international career competing in FIG world cup circuit, the Oceania Championships, and of course, the Commonwealth Games. I asked them what it’s like to be a student-athlete at UoA.
First, I wanted to know why one chooses to simultaneously study and play sport at an elite level when both are so demanding. Sulu said that for them, it’s “important to keep learning and growing” and that they have a love for Sociology. For Havana, they are “very passionate about” rhythmic gymnastics, but they also wanted to keep their brain learning.
For some University of Auckland students, however, staying active—and I don’t just mean taking a cheeky hot girl walk around the block—is not just a study break but a significant part of their routine.
Being an athlete and a university student surely poses some unique challenges to a person’s life. Sulu mentioned the struggle of managing their time, mental fatigue, and constant deadlines. Havana said that one of their biggest challenges was group assignments because finding time to meet with classmates can be extra tricky.
Another thing non-athletic-regular-people, or at least those who don’t have as many sporting commitments, might not understand is the amount of time competitive sport takes. Sulu explained that while physical fatigue impacts the amount of energy they have to study and get assignments done, “There’s a lot that goes around sport [like] recovery, rehabilitation, training, and meetings that take up time on top of study and family responsibilities.” So far, Havana’s sporting commitments have meant she’s been unable to go onto campus. However, she says she’s happy with the choices she’s made, even if it means not having a student experience—“yet”.
Sulu and the team were training hard for a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, and Havana also competed in the New Zealand Nationals prior to the Games and will be at the World Championships just after. I was curious about how the University helped Sulu and Havana to achieve these goals. Sulu said that being part of the High Performance Support Programme was really “helpful to sort appointments, meetings, and linking in with faculties, lecturers, and planning timetables.” Havana said that UoA has provided her with “the opportunity to do my Uni work around my training, competitions, and overseas travel. The University provides alternative learning and assessment opportunities to make sure I can still get everything done but also complete the work that is needed.”
Sulu said that being part of the High Performance Support Programme was really “helpful to sort appointments, meetings, and linking in with faculties, lecturers, and planning timetables.”
The High Performance Support Programme is for anyone playing sport at an elite level, usually at an international level or performing with a national performance group. Being part of the Programme, which is free, pairs students with a student-performer Support Advisor. These advisors help students negotiate attendance and assessment arrangements. Students in the Programme receive a free recreation centre membership, as well as performance psychology and wellbeing support through the University Health and Counselling service. Athletes can access strength and conditioning trainers, physiotherapy at discounted rates, and attend personal and career development events.
At the Games, both athletes performed amazingly. Havana finished ninth in the all-around final, where she was required to perform four different routines that involved clubs, hoops, ribbons, and balls. Sulu and the Silver Ferns came away with a bronze medal after defeating England in their final match.
Being a student-athlete at the University is clearly a challenging yet rewarding experience. Being able to satisfy both academic and performance goals takes dedication and support. It’s excellent that UoA can offer these athletes so much. Havana, Sulu, and all the other student-performers are inspirational and can serve to remind us that coursework isn’t everything (a thing that’s easy to forget in our little uni bubbles). The team at Craccum wish Sulu and Havana good luck in their next competitions and all other athletic and academic endeavours.