Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health - Otago Polytechnic

Still undecided on your course of study?? Join Brendon Timmins from 6 PM as he unpacks some of our Programmes and answers all your need to know questions during our Get Study Ready event this Thursday...

Get ready to start with us in Semester 2! 🤩

Whether you’re still trying to decide what to study, or you’ve already applied for your chosen programme, this event will help you take your next step.

Find out what it’s like to be an OP student, the different support services we offer and what to expect in each of our Semester 2 programmes.

PLUS, register for the event and go in the draw to win some prizes, including Prezzi cards and merch! 🤑

Find out more and register on our website: https://www.op.ac.nz/explore/events-and-important-dates/events/get-study-ready

Congratulations to Omea Fitzgerald, NZ Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage student, on being part of the New Zealand Junior Women's Handball team that has just won the inaugural Trans-Tasman Junior Women's Cup. Great work, Omea! This is a huge achievement!

Congratulations to the NZ Junior Women’s team for winning the inaugural Trans-Tasman Junior Women’s Cup.

Huge congratulations to Tessa Nicol, 2023 Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health Bachelor of Applied Science alumna, on becoming the first female in Oceania to complete the OFC/NZF Goalkeeper B licence. Ka rawe, Tessa, we are so proud of you!

Tessa Nicol has become the first ever female in Oceania to complete the OFC/NZF Goalkeeper B Licence 👏

Tessa is a familiar face in football in New Zealand, being a former New Zealand U-17 and U-20 Women’s Goalkeeper Coach.

"My hope is to see more women over the next few years come through the advanced goalkeeping development pathway and filtering into our academies, professional clubs, and national pathways."

The OFC/NZF Goalkeeper B Licence is designed for coaches working with senior and older youth goalkeepers. It aims to challenge and support aspiring GK coaches with the tools and knowledge needed to better support their players.

To find out more about our coaching pathway, head to https://ow.ly/YWJB50Z0ViQ

Jem McIlroy (a Bachelor of Applied Sci student) is currently training to swim🏊‍♂️ Te Moana-o-Raukawa / Cook Strait between December 2026 and March 2027. Read more about her training https://www.odt.co.nz/the-star/young-dunedin-swimmer-sets-sights-strait

This is a massive endeavour both to train for and complete this 23 km swim and has significant financial and logistic requirements. Here is Jem's givealittle page https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/jems-cook-strait-attemptif if you want to support her directly toward making this crossing happen.

Once achieved, Jem would be in a group of just over 200 swimmers who have completed this swim. https://www.nzowsa.nz/cook-strait
We're cheering 🎉you on Jem and acknowledge your māhi in balancing this project with your study.

For this year's second intensive (May) the 2026 Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate in Applied Science students commenced the week with a morning at Kaikorai Valley Bowl Line. It was great to get all the pathways (Performance Analysis, Physical Conditioning & Exercise Prescription) together to get the week underway

OSTC Sport, Exercise & Health Level 3 learners, along with ISEH students and staff got their pink on for Pink Shirt Day 2026

Earlier this week our Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health (ISEH) had a visit from a 2008 Graduand from our (then) Diploma in Physical Conditioning programme.

Benn McBrearty (left) shared his work experiences since graduating. He is currently the Director of Sport at Christs College in Christchurch 🙌

Fast forward to 2026, and the program is now a postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science with three different pathways - Physical Conditioning, Performance Analysis and Exercise Prescription.

Staff in the attached pic who were teaching back in 2008 include (from right) Gary Barclay, Matt Blair and Adain Summerfield.

It was wonderful to hear about Benn’s success in sport and all that he’s been up to since we last saw him. When a graduand drops by to say “thanks,” it really means a lot.

Ka pai Benn! 💪

From learners to leaders 💪🎶

This term, our New Zealand Certificate in Freestyle Group Exercise students have been developing their skills in their first elective — choosing from circuits, spin, or pump.

To wrap up the term, our ‘Pump Squad’ stepped up and delivered a full class for their classmates, bringing together everything they’ve learned — from music selection and choreography to delivering safe, effective, and engaging movements.

The result? An awesome workout, great energy, and a glimpse into a very bright future for pump instructors in our local gyms! 🔥

Next up… Term 2, where students will take on their second elective and continue building their skills as versatile group exercise trainers.

More strings to their bow, and more energy to bring! 🙌

Level4