Magic and University of Waikato join forces for women’s sport

Supporting women’s sport is behind a new partnership between the University of Waikato and the Splice Construction Magic netball team.

While the two have worked together in the past, the University of Waikato will expand their backing to become a major Magic partner focused on performance services.

PhD and intern students from campuses across Hamilton and Tauranga will be integrated into the Magic environment with a specific focus on performance enhancement as well as physical performance, marketing and events, and digital media.

In return, Magic athletes will have access to world class University of Waikato facilities including the new Tauranga campus, the Adams Centre training centre for High Performance and the university’s physiology lab.

Magic General Manager Gary Dawson said the agreement would benefit both parties with University of Waikato students experiencing enhanced learning environments while their high-quality expertise would add to the performance of the Magic team.

“We’re really excited to announce this joint venture as we both work towards the same goal of supporting and growing women’s sport,” he said.

“The Magic has worked with the University of Waikato previously, but this is another step and one which aims to share knowledge and expertise between the two parties and I’m looking forward to seeing where this can take us.”

The university already has strong netball links through its SASH (Student Athlete Support Hub) which is available to all High Performance athletes in any sport studying at the campus, including Magic midcourter Georgie Edgecombe. SASH offers support to student athletes who are balancing study alongside sporting commitments.  

Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor Alister Jones said the University of Waikato had already recognised the importance of supporting young players through SASH and the expansion into other areas for PhD and intern students was the logical next step.

“This is an exciting opportunity for students who have a specific interest in performance enhancement or in marketing and events, and to be able to tap into the environment of elite netball at the Magic will provide further learning,” he said.

“Our campuses are world class facilities and by working together, both our students and the Magic athletes will have the chance to achieve something special in their chosen fields of learning and performance.

“I look forward to seeing this partnership prosper and the benefits to women’s sport grow.”

The Magic will open the 2022 ANZ Premiership against the defending champion Mystics at Globox Arena in Hamilton on 13 March.