Otago Polytechnic introduces Otago Hockey scholarships

Otago Polytechnic and Otago Hockey have announced a sponsorship and scholarship agreement that supports students’ academic and sporting aspirations, while also providing a significant boost to the code in the region.

The scholarships, which will be offered to two talented hockey players, cover a maximum of three years study, depending on the specific programme.

Scholarship applications are now open. They close on 31 July and will take effect from the beginning of 2020.

The scholarships are performance-based: recipients must meet the entry criteria for their programme of study and are required to pass 70% of their programme each year; they are also required to consistently perform at a high (representative) sporting level.

“Sports scholarships like these allow hockey to present the option of study to young up-and-coming athletes from around Otago and New Zealand,” says Megan Gibbons, Acting Deputy Chief Executive Learner Experience, Otago Polytechnic.

“This has to be good for both our local and regional sport and the education providers in the city.

“It is evident from the recent naming of eight Southern players in the New Zealand under-21 men’s hockey squad that we have excellent pathways to high performance right here in Dunedin.”

Otago Hockey General Manager Andy McLean says the initiative is exciting news for young hockey players throughout New Zealand.

“Dunedin is a fantastic place to combine tertiary education and sporting ambition.

“The hockey turf is adjacent to Otago Polytechnic’s Student Village, Te Pā Tauira, and Otago Polytechnic’s campus is just across the road. And High Performance Sport New Zealand is just around the corner at the stadium. It is pretty special,” McLean says.

“Otago Hockey is a close-knit community. Current New Zealand Under-18 coach Hymie Gill is our Pathway Manager and Dunedin is one of six locations proposed to host a High-Performance Centre.

“We are building a fantastic environment for assisting athletes to realise their goals,” McLean says.

“Applications for the scholarships are now open and will close at the end of July, following the New Zealand under-18 hockey tournament, which is being held in Wellington,” McLean says.

“We are looking for well-rounded, hard-working individuals who will add significant value – on and off the hockey turf.”

Otago Polytechnic has also agreed to be a significant brand partner of Otago Hockey.

As a result, Otago Polytechnic has secured naming rights to the playing turf closest to the pavilion at Harbour Terrace. Otago Hockey now features Otago Polytechnic branding on its signage, vehicles and representative team uniforms.

Read more about our hockey scholarships