Centre for Sport Science and Human Performance
Sport and recreation brings considerable value in terms of economic benefits, health savings and social and cultural gains.
It is estimated to contribute around $5 billion to the New Zealand economy each year – on par with the dairy industry. Research has shown that sport and active recreation resulted in gains in productivity and health benefits valued at a further $1 billion.
Our Centre for Sport Science & Human Performance offers students' qualifications in training, sports medicine, fitness, rehabilitation and sports psychology that will help them forge a career in sport science anywhere in the world.
To be internationally competitive, professional athletes rely on skilled practitioners for the latest and best scientific information and techniques. The fitness and recreation industries are becoming increasingly specialized, requiring a range of qualified professionals.
Our sports science laboratories at our Rotokauri Campus in north Hamilton enable students to work alongside athletes as part of their study. Post-graduate qualifications are tailored to meet the research needs of athletes in a range of disciplines.
We offer practical, industry-based qualifications for fitness industry professionals and expert outdoor adventure instructors. Our qualifications have been developed alongside employers to ensure students learn relevant, required skills and knowledge. We are affiliated with key sports bodies, regionally and nationally, including Sport Waikato and High Performance Sport New Zealand – both of whom are located on our Rotokauri Campus.
Our staff are experts in their chosen fields, often practising athletes themselves and engaged in industry research. Many are connected with regional and national sports teams in a variety of roles such as coaches, managers and nutritionists.
About us
Our mission
Enable and inspire our students to be leading practitioners.
Our vision
Be a nationally leading and globally respected hub of human performance science.
As a Centre, we achieve our vision by:
- Implementing innovative teaching practices, including blended delivery,
- meeting the needs of all learners, especially Māori and international students,
- partnering and influencing stakeholders,
- leading innovative, specialist and applied research nationally and internationally,
- being actively involved in community engagement, and
- building a strong platform of knowledge and skills for students to be recognised as “graduates of choice” in our industry and communities.
About our qualifications and programmes
The Centre offers courses at certificate, diploma, degree and postgraduate levels that are available for full-time and part-time study. Successful students can progress to higher levels of qualification with credits from previous study.
Our graduates work as:
- Strength and conditioning coaches
- Exercise physiologist
- Nutritionist
- Sports coaches
- Sport development workers
- Physical education teachers
- Youth community sport coordinator
- Outdoor adventure instructor/guide
- Sports consultants
- Health promoter
- Green prescription support
- Māori health and wellness coordinator
- Massage practitioners
- Personal trainers
