INSPO Fitness Journal July 2018

FROM CANADA
TO HAMILTON
to study for a career in sport
Lydia Tuaiti has travelled
half way around the world
to pursue her passion for
knowledge and sports.
The Wintec Masters student spent her
early years in New Zealand, before
moving to Canada where she attended
high school and 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, captaining all of her
squads and achieving the top athlete award
in her final year of high school.
So it’s fair to say that sport has always
been a dominating force in Lydia’s life.
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, 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 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 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.” •
48 INSPO – FITNESS JOURNAL JULY 2018