Celebrating 60 years alongside Waikato University Alumni Olympians

The University of Waikato Alumni and Friends hosted some of its Olympic sporting alumni last week in celebration of the University’s 60th anniversary.

19 Apr 2024

Waikato University Alumni & Friends, including local businesses and stakeholders, enjoy an evening of connection and engagement.

The event, ‘More than Medals: An Evening with Alumni Olympians’, hosted by the New Zealand Olympic Committee's selection panel Chair and Momentum Waikato Chief Executive, Simon Wickham, provided an opportunity for Waikato’s business community (many of whom are Waikato alumni) to hear from former Olympic rower, Nathan Twaddle MNZM, hockey player Brooke Neal, cyclist Bryony Botha and kayaker Hamish Legarth.

Host Simon Wickham, CEO Momentum Waikato & Chair of the New Zealand Olympic Committee selection panel, shared nine principles of success.

During the first of a series of events to celebrate the University’s 60th anniversary, the panel discussed the principles of high performing teams, the challenges they face as elite sports’ people, the role of resilience, and how the University supports high performance athletes to maintain both their sporting dreams and career pursuits.

Alumni Olympians Nathan Twaddle, Brooke Neal, Hamish Legarth (current Hillary Scholar), and Bryony Botha.

Speaking on the night, Professor Jo Lane, Dean of Te Huataki Waiora School of Health, recognised the University’s 60th year and shared the most recent results of the QS Subject Rankings, announcing to applause the University’s ranking in the top 51-100 in sports-related subjects.

“There are certainly parallels we can draw between the University’s pursuit of innovation and excellence over the past 60 years, and the spirit and pursuit of excellence demonstrated by many of our Olympic alumni gathered here this evening

Professor Lane

Nathan Twaddle MNZM, former Olympic rower and Waikato Alumni shares lessons from the podium.

The University of Waikato’s Alumni network includes more than 90,000 alumni around the globe. The team’s next event is the University’s 60th anniversary dinner, which will include the Distinguished Alumni Awards in September this year.

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