New Zealand University Blues header image.

You are here > Home / Events / Blues / Blues Standards

Blues Standards

a) Eligibility

To be eligible for a NZU Blues Award:

  • Student nominees must have been enrolled at a USNZ member University during the 2008 academic year.
  • Student nominees must have paid their University fees and Students Association fees in 2008.
  • Be a competing member of their University club wherever possible.
  • Student nominees must have passed at least 33% of a full time study load for the 200 year (i.e. if a full year’s study load is 8 papers then the nominee must have passed 3 papers in 2008). This criteria is designed to ensure that nominees have maintained their academic standards during 2008.
  • Student nominees must have passed the national qualifying standard set by the relevant national sports organisation during 2008.
  • Nominations that are not on the official USNZ NZU Blues Nomination form will not be considered. Incomplete nominations will not be given full consideration.

All NZU Blues are awarded at the discretion of the NZU Blues Panel.

b) Sports Standards

The following are the Blues standards approved by the NZU Blues Panel after discussion with National Sporting Organisations. The standards are used by the NZU Blues Panel as a guideline to making their final decisions on each Blue award. They are only guidelines and the Panel takes into account the standard of competition, level of competition nationally and internationally etc when reaching a decision.

Click the Sport to view their Blues Standards:

Please note that the NZU Blues Panel will consider all nominations especially where an athlete believes that he/she should be considered for a Blue despite not having attained the required standard for their sport in that year; i.e. the Panel has full discretionary powers.

If the Standard for your sporting code is not listed, please contact the USNZ office at admin@universitysport.org.nz

Athletics

New Zealand senior representation in at least one of the following:

  • IAAF World Cross Country Championships
  • IAAF World Track & Field Championships
  • IAAF World Mountain Running Championships
  • Olympic Games
  • Commonwealth Games

Archery

Be a member of the NZ Senior Team to compete at the one of the following:

  • Olympic Games
  • Commonwealth Games
  • Oceania Championships (Top 3 placing)

Badminton

Men’s: Top six senior ranking in New Zealand (singles or doubles)
Women’s: Top six senior ranking in New Zealand (singles or doubles)

Players must also have achieved international representation in addition to New Zealand ranking.

Basketball

Men: Member of the Tall Blacks
Women: Member of the Tall Ferns

Has played in either the Tall Blacks or the Tall Ferns internationally.

Beach Volleyball

To have senior representation on a New Zealand Volleyball Team and has achieved at least any one of the following pinnacle events:

2008

  • Olympic Games (Men) - representing NZ
  • Oceania Championships (Women) - Gold Medal winners
  • Asian Championships (Men & Women) - Top 8 placings
  • World University Beach Championships (Men & Women) - Top 10 placings*

2009

  • World Championships (Men & Women) - Achieve FIVB automatic qualification
  • Commonwealth Championships (Men & Women) - Top 10 placings
  •  World Tour (Men & Women) - ranked in top 30 in the world

*discretionary

Bowls

New Zealand Senior Representation in at least two of the following:

  • World Championships
  • Commonwealth Games
  • Pacific Games
  • Trans Tasman event

Selection in an age group team does not form part of the criteria.

Boxing

To be the New Zealand Champion in their class, and to have represented New Zealand at one of the following international competitions:

  • Olympic Games
  • Commonwealth Games
  • Oceania Championships (Top 3 placing)

Canoe/Kayak

Includes: Flatwater sprint Canoe / Kayak, Flatwater Marathon Canoe / Kayak, Surfski distance racing, Wildwater racing, Whitewater slalom, Freestyle Kayaking.)

New Zealand Representation in the following:

  • Olympic Games
  • World Championships

Canoe Polo

New Zealand Representation in at least one of the following:

  • World Championships
  • World Games
  • Oceania Games (Top 3 placing)

Cricket

To have played internationally as a Black Cap (Men) or a White Fern (Women).

Croquet

To be selected and played International Competition in at least one of the following:

  • MacRobertson Shield Test Series (four yearly)
  • Trans-Tasman Open Test (two yearly)
  • World Croquet Championships (annually)

Women
As above plus Trans Tasman Women’s Challenge Test (two yearly)

Cycling

New Zealand Repersentation in at least one of the following:

  • World Championships,
  • Olympic Games
  • Commonwealth Games.

Debating

In order to be eligible for a Blues award, a nominee shall meet at least two of the following conditions:

  • S/he shall have reached the knockout finals series of a World Universities Debating Championships and/ or shall have been placed in the top 10% of individuals speakers at that competition.
  • S/he shall have reached the knockout finals series of a Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championship and/or shall have been placed in the top 10% of individual speakers at that competition.

Diving

see Swimming

Duathlon

To be a member of the New Zealand team in the World Championships Elite.

Equestrian

Horse Trials: Candidates must have officially represented New Zealand at an international CCI or CIC at a Four Star level.

Dressage: Candidates must have competed as a member in at least one of the following events:

  • The World Equestrian Games
  • The Olympic Games
  • Volvo League Qualifier*
  • The annual FEI international competition at Prix St George level*; or
  • Been a member of the NZ team for the Trans Tasman Trophy*

Show Jumping: Candidates must have achieved the following:

  • Won a World Cup final in New Zealand
  • and represented NZ in Trans Tasman Competitions at 3 star level or above
  • and/or represented New Zealand in European Nations Cup competitions competing at CSI 3 star and above

All can include represented NZ at World Equestrian Games or Olympic Game level

*discretionary

Fencing

To have had New Zealand representation at senior level in at least one of the following:

  • Olympic Games
  • World Championship
  • Commonwealth Championship
  • Oceania Championship* (top 3 finish)

*discretionary

Football (Soccer)

To have played for the All Whites (Men) or Football Ferns (Women) in a FIFA recognised international fixture.

Golf

Men’s: Must be selected and played for at least one of the following:

  • The Eisenhower Trophy Team to the World Amateur Teams Championship
  • The New Zealand Team for the Nomura Cup at the Asia Pacific Teams Championship
  • The New Zealand Team for the Four Nations Cup
  • New Zealand Team for the Southern Cross Cup

Women’s: Must be selected and played for at least one of the following:

  • The Espirito Santo Trophy Team to the World Amateur Teams Championship
  • The New Zealand Team for the Queen Sirikit Cup
  • The New Zealand Team for the Commonwealth Tournament

Gymnastics

Men’s and Women’s Artistic, Rhythmic, Aerobics and Trampoline Gymnastics.

A Senior International athlete who has been selected by New Zealand Gymnastics and participated in the highest level pinnacle event in the relevant year.
Pinnacle events are:

  • Olympic Games
  • Commonwealth Games
  • World Championships

Hockey/ Indoor Hockey

Men: must be selected and played as a member of the Blacksticks Men’s team
Women: must be selected and played as a member of the Blacksticks Women’s team

Indoor Hockey: This standard is currently being updated.

Ice Hockey

To have represented NZ (Ice Blacks) at the IIHF Senior World Championships held annually.

Ice Skating

Represent New Zealand in at least one of the following in the relevant year:

  • World Championships (held annually)
  • Winter Olympic Games

Inline Hockey

To have represented New Zealand at the World Inline Hockey Championships.

Judo

To have represented New Zealand at one of the following:

  • Olympic Games
  • Commonwealth Games
  • World Championships
  • World University Games

Karate

To have placed in the top 4 in any premier individual category of Kata (forms) or Kumite (fighting) at the Karate New Zealand Nationals.

And, has been selected by Karate New Zealand to represent New Zealand at an International Championship administered or sanctioned by the World Karate Federation or the Oceania Karate Federation.

Minimum criteria:

  • A medalist at the National Championships in a premier catergory; and
  • Represented in a Karate New Zealand national senior team

KartSport

To have achieved at least one of the following:

  • CI-FIA World Championship (Top 10 result)
  • CIK-FIA World Cup (Top 6 result)
  • CIK-FIA European and other CIK-FIA sanctioned events (Top 5 result)
  • Australian AKA National Championship (Top 3 result)

*Given that the athlete has achieved the following:

  • Kartsport New Zealand National Championship (Top 3 result)
  • Kartsport New Zealand Island Championship event (1st place)

Lacrosse

Represented New Zealand in at least one of the following:

  • No event - International fixtures only - Men & Women (2008)
  • World Championship - Women (2009)
  • Asia Pacific Championship - Men (2009)
  • World Championship - Men (2010)

Motorsport (Motorcycling & Motocross)

To have represented New Zealand in more than one of the following:

  • Up to and including 10th place in a FIM World Championship event.
  • Up to and including 3rd place in an Oceania or Asian Championship event.
  • Top three placing in a MNZ New Zealand Championship SERIES.

Netball

To have represented New Zealand as a Silver Fern.

Orienteering

This includes both mountain bike orienteering and foot orienteering.

Must have represented New Zealand in at least one of the following:

  • World Orienteering Championships
  • World Orienteering Cup*

*discretionary

Paralympics

Must have been selected and competed for NZ in at least one of the following:

  • Selection for IPC (International Paralympics Committee) Competition (Paralympic Games or World Champs)
  • Achievement of a world record in IPC sanctioned event.

Powerlifting

The applicant must have reached the ‘Gold’ standard for their bodyweight class in which they achieved the Total for the Three Lifts or Bench Press as specified by NZPF and have represented the NZ ‘Open’ Powerlifting Team at the World Championships.

Rowing

Must be a member of the NZ Senior Rowing Team and have competed at one of the following:

  • FISA World Rowing Championships
  • Olympic Games

Rugby League

Men: Must be a member of the NZ Kiwis
Women: Must be a member of the NZ Kiwi Ferns

That there be senior international representation.

Rugby Union

Men: Be a member of the All Blacks or the NZ Sevens team.
Women: Be a member of the Black Ferns.

That there be international representation

Shooting

Be a member of a Nationally selected senior A team at a International event.

Pinnacle events for all disciplines (this includes Shotgun (Clay Target), Rifle and Pistol (Target Shooting), and Fullbore:

  • Commonwealth Games
  • World Championships

2007 pinnacle events:
Shotgun:
World Cups (Korea/Slovenia)
World Championships (Cyprus)
Oceania Championships (Australia)

Rifle and Pistol:
World Cups (Australia/Thailand)
Oceania Championships (Australia)

Fullbore:
The Palmer (Canada)
Oceania Championships (Australia)

NB. Oceania representation would have be in the A squad.

Ski/ Snow Sports

Must be ranked in the Top 6 of their discipline in New Zealand and have represented the NZ Senior team at an International Event.

Snowboarding
Represented NZ in at least one of the following:

  • Olympic Games
  • FIS Snowboard World Championships
  • FIS Snowboard World Cup*

*discretionary

Softball

Must have played for the Black Sox (Men) or White Sox (Women).

Squash

Must have represented New Zealand in Senior International competition.

Surf Life Saving

Represented New Zealand at the World Surf Lifesaving Championships

Swimming

Must have been a member of the New Zealand team in at least one of the following events:

  • 2007 World Championships (March)
  • 2008 Olympic Games (August)

Synchronised Swimming

Represented NZ in at least one of the following:

  • World Championships (every 2 years)
  • Olympic Games
  • Commonwealth Games

Table Tennis

Men: Top six in New Zealand
Women: Top six in New Zealand
In addition to a Top Six New Zealand Ranking, the athlete must compete in at least one of the following:

  • Olympic Games 2008
  • World Individual championships 2007
  • Commonwealth Championships 2007

Taekwondo

To have been selected to represent New Zealand at the Senior World Championships and/or medalling in a major international tournament (at least 10 countries competing). Must be the NZ Blackbelt Champion in their respective weight class.

NOTE: Only sparring events are to be considered.

Tennis

Have represented New Zealand in one of the following:

  • Davis Cup / Federation Cup
  • Olympic Games

Touch

The following includes Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Touch

To have been selected in the New Zealand Senior Team, and have competed at an International Tournament.

Triathlon

To have been selected in the New Zealand Open Team in at least one of the following:

  • Olympic Games
  • Commonwealth Games
  • World Championships Elite

Underwater Hockey

To have represented New Zealand at an international pinnacle event tournament.

Volleyball

To have senior representation on a New Zealand Volleyball Team and has achieved at least any one of the following pinnacle events:

2008

  • Oceania Champs (Men  & Women) - Gold Medal winners

2009

  • Asian Championships (Men & Women) - Top 10 placing
  • Commonwealth Championships (Men & Women) - Top 6 placing
  • World University Games (Men & Women) - Top 10 placing*

*discretionary

Waterpolo

To have been a national representative in the NZ senior men’s/women’s team and have had pool time in the highest level recognised international event in that year.

Events:

  • World Championships 2007
  • World Championships Qualifying Tournaments
  • Olympic Games 2008
  • Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament 2008

Waterskiing

Athlete must be a current New Zealand Team Member and have represented NZ at a recognised International Waterskiing event, and achieved the at least two of the following:

  • Current New Zealand Overall Champion
  • Current New Zealand Event Champion eg: Jump Champion, Slalom Champion or Trick Champion
  • Holder of a current New Zealand Record

Must have also represented NZ at a recognised International Waterskiing event.

Yachting

To have represented NZ in at least one of the following:

Current Olympic Disciplines 2008

  • RSX (Men & Women’s Olympic Windsurfer Event) - Class Nationals (Top 10), Class Worlds (top 10) & Olympics (team member)
  • Laser Standard (Men’s Single Handed Event) - Class Nationals (Top 10) Class Worlds (Top 10) & Olympics (team member) 
  • Laser Radial (Women’s Single Handed Event) - Class Nationals (Top 10 Open), Class Worlds (Top 10) & Olympics (team member)
  • Finn (Men’s Heavy Weight Dinghy) - Class Worlds (top 10) (Finn Gold Cup) & Olympics (team member) 
  • 470 (Men & Women’s Double Handed Event) - Class Nationals (top 10), Class Worlds (top 10) & Olympics (team member)
  • Tornado (Open Multihull Event) - Class Nationals (1st, 2nd or 3rd) Class Worlds (top 10) & Olympics (team member)
  • Star (Men’s Keel Boat Event) - Class Worlds (top 10) & Olympics (team member)
  • Yngling (Women’s Keel Boat Event) - Class Worlds (top 10) & Olympics (team member)

Olympic Disciplines & Classes towards 2012

  • Women’s Match Racing - NZL Match Racing Nationals (1st Women’s Team), Women’s Match Racing Worlds (top 10) & Olympics (team member)
  • Team Racing (Open Team Racing) NZL Team Racing Nationals (1st Place) ISAF Team Racing World Championships (1st, 2nd or 3rd)
  • Match Racing (Open Match Racing) NZL Match Racing Nationals (1st Place) & ISAF Match Racing Worlds (1st, 2nd or 3rd), Americas Cup (finalist) - sailing team only

Updated 12 August 2008