From Canada to Wintec to study for a career in sport
Wintec masters student Lydia Tuaiti (right) is investigating the fatigue response in young female athletes at St Peter’s School.
Sport has always been a dominating force in Lydia Tuaiti’s life.
At high school in Canada she spent hundreds of hours training, playing, travelling and fundraising to represent her province, British Columbia, in netball. Lydia also managed to fit in playing volleyball and soccer as well, captaining all her squads and achieving the top athlete award in her final year of high school.
After high school Lydia did a gap year travelling and came to the realisation that she wasn’t ready to give up on sport just yet.
“It sounds corny but I realised that sport has the power to bring change. The reason I chose to study sport was to support kids, like me, to achieve and go as far with their sport as they want,” says Lydia.
Once she had decided to study sport, Lydia moved back to New Zealand (where she spent her early years), enrolling in Wintec’s Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science.
“I chose to study at Wintec as they were well known for being practical and hands-on. Thankfully this is very true and more. At Wintec, I have built connections with many different schools and sports centres across the Waikato. I have worked in one of Hamilton’s leading gyms to apply the skills I learnt in the classroom. Taking full advantage of external opportunities like these is invaluable when developing skills and building confidence,” says Lydia.
Lydia completed her Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science last year and is now enrolled in Wintec’s Master in Science (Sport and Exercise Science).
As part of her Masters work she is currently working at St Peter’s School in Cambridge, investigating the fatigue response in young female athletes when completing different resistance training stimulus.
Lydia loves working with in sport and hopes to work for a school once she completes her Masters.
“During my playing years, sport opened many doors for me. I was able to travel and compete, creating memories with friends that I will always cherish. Every step of the way I had support and encouragement from family, teachers, my small town community and even complete strangers.”
Read Lydia's own story on The Coach blog.
