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The NZU Blue is one of New Zealand’s most prestigious and long standing awards that recognises a University student’s performance in representing New Zealand at the annual pinnacle event of their sport whilst successfully progressing their academic studies.
University Sport New Zealand is responsible for presenting the most prestigous award in University Sport -Â the New Zealand Universities Blue. Based on the traditional Blue of Oxford and Cambridge, it is awarded to NZ University students who have achieved excellence both on and off the field of play. Presented since 1934, it is a reflection of the standard that a large number of successful New Zealanders have received this award.
From Black Ferns captain Farah Palmer to All Black Richie McCaw, Olympic Gold Medalist Danyon Loader to Rowing Champions Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell, the Blues network of achievers covers all sporting codes. View the Roll of Honour to see all of the 2,500 Blues recipients to date.
Blues sporting standards are set by USNZ’s Blues Panel in conjunction with National Sporting Organisations and involve international representation at the highest level. The academic criteria involves passing at least one third of a full time course in the year of the award.
As well as the Blues, USNZ presents the NZU Sportsperson of the Year Award and the NZU Maori Sportsperson of the Year Award. Chosen from the Blues recipients in a particular year they are judged to have been the ‘best of the best’ and receive their awards at the annual Blues Awards Ceremony.
The 2005 NZU Sportsperson of the Year was world champion rower George Bridgewater (Waikato) with the NZU Maori Sportsperson of the Year Award again being presented to Silver Fern Joline Henry (also Waikato). The 2004 NZU Sportsperson of the Year was Matthew Slade, an Otago University student who won gold in athletics at the Athens Paralympics with Joline Henry collected the 2004 Maori award.
USNZ also presents annual Coaching and Sports Administration awards as well as special awards for outstanding achievement at a World University Games or World University Championship (usually medal winning) and also Distinguished Performance awards for performances in a non-Blues sport.
