University sport in New Zealand is at a "pivotal'' stage and more needs to be done to increase its presence in tertiary institutions, the student voice for university sport in New Zealand says.
Next month, University of Otago economics student and University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand student representative Naomi Ireland will discuss the need for greater sporting leadership opportunities for students at the International University Sports Federation forum in Montpellier, France.
The self-confessed sports addict said she believed sport could be as integral to tertiary education as lectures and exams.
"You can learn a lot from being in a lecture, but you can learn so much more from getting out there and doing it.''
Miss Ireland said she experienced the "huge'' benefits of sport while completing her first qualification, a physical education degree at the University of Otago.
"I captained the Otago University contingent that went to the Eastern Australian University Games in 2014 and won a gold medal with my mixed touch team.
"Sport can assist so much in the development of 'soft skills' such as flexibility, fluidity, communication skills, empathy and leadership.
"All of this aids in greatly differentiating yourself from other potential employees, which, of course, is very topical at the moment.''
Possible cuts to the university's humanities division further increased the need for a focus on the physical and expressive nature of sport, she said.
"I would like it to become part of a wider holistic approach taken by New Zealand universities.
"America is very different, but it is amazing how there are universities in America that people go to specifically because they are renowned for being good at basketball or track. It could really be a selling point.''
At present, Miss Ireland is working with University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand executive director Sarah Anderson to create a New Zealand Student Sports Commission.
She hopes the forum, which will be attended by representatives from 60 countries, will give her new ideas for how to push sport to the fore of New Zealand institutions.
"It should be more prevalent because at the end of your degree the ultimate goal is, of course, to get a job, and I strongly believe that university sport can assist this phenomenally.''
