New Zealand Uni Games: Brian Tanis

Attention sport enthusiasts! Don't worry, you don't have to leave your favorite sports gear at home when you go abroad with IFSA-Butler. There are plenty of ways to get involved, as demonstrated by Brian Tanis, from Susquehanna University, who is studying at Massey University, Palmerston North. As a great way to get involved, Brian decided to join the Ultimate Frisbee team and compete in the Uni Games, New Zealand's nationwide sport competition for universities. The following is the article he wrote for the IFSA-Butler New Zealand office's newsletter. Following the article are some pictures from the games! Enjoy!

When I first heard about the games, I wanted to be a part of it. Uni Games is an annual competition between all universities in the country dating back to the first games in 1902. It’s set up like the Olympics with universities sending teams to compete in 25 sports. The uni that gets the most medals wins the shield, and bragging rights for the year. All the while, student athletes from across the country can mingle and enjoy the competition. The idea of playing games, meeting people and getting a free hoodie was more than enough to get me to sign up.

Being a part of the Ultimate Frisbee team, I was asked to represent The Real Massey (the one in Palmerston North). Our team was fresh off the national tournament in Wellington and eager to play some more outdoor ultimate before the switch indoors. Together with just under 100 other competitors, our team was now part of Team Massey. Finally the games had arrived. I got off my bench, registered in the art gallery, and found my way to my team. Then it was off to the opening ceremony where teams congregated with music and beverages to await the official start of the games. There were frequent cheers started by all the schools and by the time the mayor of New Plymouth walked in with his huge medallion and the shield, everyone was excited.

The next three days was a blur of activity: playing Frisbee, seeing the sites of the Taranaki region, team meetings and pool at the Grumpy Mole (the tackiest representation of the American southwest I have ever seen) and of course lots of mingling. My Frisbee team came out with a bang loosing only 1 of the 6 first round games. After an equally dominating semi-finals performance, our team was in the championship game against the much dreaded ‘Angry Matt’ and Team Victoria. After a long hard game, Victoria managed to get the edge and to the disappointment of all who were there, they took the gold. We were quite gutted over losing the final, but silver is nothing to be too upset over.

After our final, we headed back to New Plymouth to see how the rest of Team Massey did and go to the closing ceremony. The spirit competition occurred with each university parading their flag across stage and seeing who could muster up the biggest cheers. Waikato was the clear winner with all of their competitors dressed up in costumes and paint. Then it was time for the main event - the announcement of who won the shield. First the smaller schools were called, then the ‘other’ Massey’s, once again proving Palmerston North is ‘The Massey’. The tension mounted as the bigger schools awaited their position. Waikato went down with a roar of disappointment. Next was Otago and with everyone glad they weren’t going to add to their record 35 victories. Finally, Massey was called in 4th place. We went nuts considering we have only won the event twice. Finally, the top three were announced; AUT, University of Auckland, and in first place, Victoria, managing a repeat victory.

As quickly as the fun and excitement came, it left again as students went home for the rest of break. I am quite happy that I took the time out from travelling around and had the thrill of
a unique experience representing my uni, playing some serious Frisbee, and of course enjoying mingling with students from around the nation.

The Team: