Photo caption:听Players, UC students and Head Coach Piet Van Hasselt at the 3脳3 U23 NZ Basketball Selection Camp at the UC Rec Centre.
In preparation for the upcoming FIBA U23 Nations League, Te Whare W膩nanga o Waitaha University of mini传媒 (UC) hosted the Basketball New Zealand 3X3 U23 Men's Selection Camp in early June.
In a unique collaboration, 12 UC students assumed pivotal Management, Logistics, Performance Analysis, and Strength and Conditioning roles for the camp, showcasing the University鈥檚 dedication to hands-on education.
Malachi Drye, in his final year of a Bachelor of Sport Coaching, took on one of two Management roles, which saw him responsible for organising the camp鈥檚 logistics. As a keen basketballer with an eye on performance analysis for a professional or semi-professional team after he graduates, this opportunity ticked all the boxes.
鈥淯C has provided heaps of opportunities for me to get hands-on experience throughout my studies, but by far this has been my favourite,鈥 Drye says. 鈥淚鈥檓 doing some sports management papers at the moment and the skills I鈥檝e gained through the camp will definitely help me in my studies.听
鈥淚鈥檓 also excited to add to my resume that I鈥檝e managed a high-level camp at a professional level 鈥 not everyone gets to experience that.鈥
UC School of Health Sciences Lecturer and 3脳3 U23 Tall Blacks Head Coach emphasised the importance of such unique opportunities for students.
鈥淲e wanted to create a high-performance environment, and we had the opportunity to do that through hosting the camp,鈥 says Van Hasselt. 鈥淲e really want to push applied learning and provide internships and practicums as a part of a students鈥 degree.鈥
鈥淭he enthusiasm from students is what made this event so successful. It makes such a difference for them to learn in the real world,鈥 Van Hasselt adds.
Following rigorous training and evaluation, coach Van Hasselt has been tasked in handpicking five athletes from the camp to represent the NZ 3脳3 U23 National Team at the upcoming U23 Nations League in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Learn more about what UC is doing to deliver an accessible, flexible, future-focused education here.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 - Quality Education.
