UNI Games 2009 Coming to Taranaki

More than 3,000 students will be coming to Taranaki next year to take part in the UNI Games 2009.

Events in more than 30 different sports will be held throughout the region as Taranaki becomes only the second non-university area, behind Rotorua this year, to host the games in its 107 year history.

“We’ve been able to bring to the table a diverse range of games for the event, from water-based sports such as surfing through to mountain-based activities,” says Sport Taranaki CEO Howie Tamati.

“We also have enthusiastic sports administrators within our region who consistently deliver Sport Taranaki’s programmes to a very high national standard. When you combine this resource with Coach McKean’s event management expertise and the outstanding volunteer base that has been developed in supporting our secondary schools programme, we are very confident of delivering a top-class, ‘best ever’ UNI Games.”

The bid was made through a consortium of six: Sport Taranaki, Venture Taranaki, WITT, and the South Taranaki, Stratford and New Plymouth district councils.

Says New Plymouth District Mayor Peter Tennent: “As a region, we have proved time and again that we have the organisational support and the infrastructure to successfully host major events, and this is a chance for the whole province to embrace a national event.

“This joint regional effort is the same approach we’ve taken for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.”

Stratford Mayor John Edwards says the games are a fantastic opportunity for university students to see rural Taranaki. “It’s a magnificent thing for Taranaki and for places like Stratford, where we can host some of the events and show everyone how great it is to live here.”

South Taranaki Mayor Ross Dunlop says the games will give them the chance to impress people with the quality and variety of facilities available. “We’ve got the Opunake Sports Centre, great surfing spots and a national dressage area, for starters.

“We’re really pleased to be able to host something like this as part of a region-wide effort,” says Mayor Dunlop.

Venture Taranaki CEO Stuart Trundle expects to see long-term benefits from bringing the UNI Games here.

“As the region confronts the challenge of recruiting and retaining the next generation of skilled workers, we have in the UNI Games a wonderful opportunity to showcase employment opportunities to graduates from around New Zealand,” he says.

“We can stamp our mark as Taranaki being a great place to live, work and play and help keep the economic momentum going.”

Acting CEO of WITT, Sue Duncan, says the institute is delighted to be part of the team hosting the UNI Games. “Being involved in the consortium is part of our strategy of being a regional facilitator and working with other organisations for the benefit of Taranaki.

“The games will also benefit WITT as we showcase our institution and give our students a chance to be involved in the event,” she says.

The UNI Games is one of the oldest nationwide sports events in New Zealand. They are also the second-largest multi-sport event in the country, behind the Masters Games.

The games will be held in Taranaki from 14-17 April 2009, with students attending from throughout New Zealand.