Member Association News: NZU Blues Awards 2008
July 2nd, 2008
The NZU Blues Awards Ceremony was held at the North Harbour Stadium, Auckland on Friday 27 June 2008. One of New Zealand's successful Olympians, Danyon Loader addressed the recipients’ and their guests about striving for their best and achieving the pinnacle in sport. Fellow swimmer and Blues recipient, Melissa Ingram, spoke of her performance and experiences at the 2007 World University Games (Summer Universiade) held in Bangkok, where she won New Zealand’s sole medal (silver) at the Universiade in the 200m backstroke.
Furthermore, Melissa cleaned up at the 88th New Zealand University Blues Awards for 2007, organised by University Sport New Zealand. Ingram, who will be representing New Zealand at the upcoming Beijing Olympics, was awarded a Blue for her success at the 2007 FINA Swimming World Championships. Ingram was then awarded one of the inaugural Domino's Pizza Scholarships of $1,000 to help her assist with her preparations for the Beijing Olympics and finished of the evening by collecting the NZU Sportsperson of the Year award. Melissa being the high achiever is also a fourth year student at University of Auckland, studying towards a Bachelor of Arts.
In other awards, Keshia Grant was awarded the Maori Sportsperson of the Year for her sporting success with the New Zealand Mixed Touch team that won their division in the 2007 World Cup in South Africa. Murray Finch was recognised for his contribution as a coach towards New Zealand university table tennis. Murray was also the team manager for the table tennis team to the 2007 World University Games, Bangkok.
Former Universiade silver medallist Melissa Ingram
The NZU Blues are awarded to recognize New Zealand's top university athletes by honouring their sporting and academic achievements. Fifty NZU Blues, one NZU Distinguished Performance (for non-recognised Blues sport) and one NZU Coaching Award, were awarded for the 2007 academic year. A number of the recipients have been selected to represent New Zealand at the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics.
