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Nicholas Woods – Hockey

Nic Woods is gearing up for his third Games, this time as captain of the New Zealand Men’s Hockey Team. Having witnessed his team’s evolution over the past two years, Nic says he’s excited for the upcoming event.

“Our recent triumphs in the January qualifier in Oman and our Nations Cup victory in Poland have boosted our confidence. I’m optimistic this will translate into some truly epic performances on the grandest stage for hockey.”

The presentation of their playing kits by New Zealand’s 1976 hockey team, who defied the odds to win gold in Montreal, added an unforgettable touch to the selection.

“It was such a privilege. They told us stories of their campaign and shared some advice which was hugely inspiring,” Nic says.

Outside of hockey, Nic is pursuing a Master of Management following his Bachelor of Business. Initially uncertain after high school, he started with sport and exercise science before switching to business due to his affinity for numbers.

“Accounting, finance and now an economics-based focus interest me,” Nic says.

“My interest in my own life sparked my studies as I had started investing myself in shares and property, so I was practicing what I was learning. It gives me a bit of a leg up being a ‘contractor’ in my hockey career, helping me make more informed decisions and navigate the tax space.”

Balancing hockey, life and study has its challenges, but Nic says it’s necessary for his wellbeing.

“Without balance, my overall wellbeing can rapidly change, which has a huge influence on my performance on the turf. Studying extramurally has been a massive help as my hockey career has taken me worldwide and demanded so much of my time. With an ever-changing schedule, I’ve had to rely a lot on the high performance coordinators at Massey, so huge shout out to them!”

Nic says seeking academic assistance has been a game changer.

“My attitude towards study has evolved over the years it has taken me to complete my bachelor’s and now my master’s. I’m more inclined to voice when I need help to both lecturers and support staff, and that reflects in the improvement in my grades.”

Nic’s advice for other student athletes is to keep one eye on the future while enjoying every moment of their sporting careers.

“Plan for a life beyond your sport and do what you can to transition smoothly from athlete life to work life. Unfortunately, we can’t play forever, so soak it up but be prepared!”

Eliza McCartney – Athletics

Eliza McCartney says her return after winning bronze in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago and her injury struggles in recent years have left her hugely excited and grateful for this opportunity.

“As always, the lead-up is never perfect but I’ve had some breakthroughs this year with my jumping, so I feel more prepared than I thought I would a year ago. The challenge for me is turning up healthy and fit, so that is a big focus for us this season.”

Her passion is fuelled by her love for the athleticism of the sport.

“I’ve always loved running and jumping. Even as a little kid, it has been a way for me to express myself. I also love how technical pole vault is; there are so many components to keep chipping away at. People often don’t realise how individualised our sport is. Everything from the poles we use (length, stiffness, material) to the run-up length and how deep the bar is positioned over the mats varies. I often run 14 steps, but most women use 16.”

Eliza says fitting in study around her sport and travel has been easier than expected while completing a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.

“Study and sport go well together and provide a nice balance to life. Being able to study by distance has made all the difference. I stumbled across environmental science as an elective while studying physiology and it didn’t take me long to change my major. What I was learning horrified me, particularly how we could so knowingly destroy the only home we and every other species have.”

Love what you’re learning is Eliza’s biggest advice to other student athletes.

“It’s much easier to study when you find something you enjoy, as motivation will naturally come. It can also be the perfect time filler, escape and mental stimulation when you need to take your mind off sport.”

Tom Mackintosh – Rowing

After an impressive win in Tokyo, Tom Mackintosh is eager to get back into action.

“I feel incredibly proud to be competing. I took a break from rowing at the end of 2022 and coming back to race the single scull has certainly had its undulations!”

He says he’s most grateful for the valuable opportunities rowing has presented him.

“Being able to represent New Zealand and travel to unique rowing destinations is something I’ll look back on fondly. One unique aspect of rowing is it’s one of the only events where going backwards faster is better!”

When the time comes to hang up his oars, Tom has his sights on business. He completed a Master of Management with Massey in 2022, following on from a Bachelor of Commerce at University of Canterbury, to prepare for this transition and is currently preparing for a Master of Business Administration at the University of Oxford next year.

“My studies in commerce and management provided a solid foundation for entering this field. It’s been tough at times, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. Sport won’t last forever, and it was important for me to have a back-up plan!”

For current and potential student athletes, Tom’s advice is straightforward: go for it!

“Sport has many transferable skills you can bring to the table later in life. University is a period in life where it’s possible to balance sport and study. Make the most of the opportunity and I’m sure you won’t regret it!”

Nicole Shields - Cycling

Still finding it hard to believe, Nicole Shields is maintaining her focus on what she can control and reminding herself what it’s all leading to.

“It’s been a hard journey since the Tokyo cycle, and there was a time where just being able to ride my bike was a huge achievement, let alone competing at this level. I have been racing with these girls for a long time and I always knew we had the potential to achieve something special. Watching their success and progression over the last few years has been hugely motivating, and I am honoured to be lining up with them.”

As an endurance track cyclist, Nicole spends less than 10 per cent of her time training on the track, with the rest dedicated to road cycling and being in the gym. She says what she loves most about cycling is how it’s a great way to see the world.

“I am so grateful for all the places it has taken me. A nice day on the bike with good company is hard to beat! I also love seeing the improvement over time and figuring out what works best for me. Putting that back into a team context is also a challenge but I think that’s where the art is – pulling together different experiences and challenges over the past three years into a single day.”

Having previously earned a Bachelor of Business, Nicole is embracing a new academic challenge and says her discipline in cycling has been a big help in balancing study and sport.

“I have had some pretty lengthy health battles over the last few years which have allowed me to explore some different things both physiologically and psychologically. The relationship between the two for me is really interesting and led me to start a Bachelor of Science this year. As cyclists, we spend a lot of time training alone or without a coach, so you have a really good relationship with your body, knowing what days to push on and when to pull back.”

Her advice to other student athletes is to know your limits and remember that studying isn’t the same as resting.

“Plan your weeks and months and identify the periods of time which are going to be hard academically and/or physically. It’s not necessarily the lack of time but the lack of energy that can be challenging. I don’t think balance is possible every week, but knowing when you can prioritise one over the other is really important.”

Molly Meech – Sailing

When asked what she loves most about sailing, Molly Meech says it comes down to the connection it fosters, both with her team and the environment.

“There’s an amazing feeling of freedom when you’re out on the water, using the wind and the waves to gain speed. When everything clicks between helm and crew, there’s a sense of flow in how we sail and communicate.”

Looking ahead to her next Games, Molly says it feels incredibly special to be selected.

“It’s been a challenging journey for my team, as we’ve only had three years sailing together with a lot to learn. I am super proud of Jo Aleh, my helm, with how she has taken to sailing the 49erFX and what we have achieved together to this point. We have been training hard and are making the most of everyday to push towards our goals.”

During Molly’s debut campaign in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, where she won silver alongside Alex Maloney, her passion for environmental sustainability was ignited, and she is now working toward a Master of Sustainable Development Goals with Massey.

“The significant environmental issues we’re facing were highlighted and I became interested in how we can minimise the impact we have on our environment. Being so connected to the environment through my sport, it feels really important to be able to protect the natural environment that we are fortunate to be able to use as our playground today.”

Molly says the balance between focusing on sport and study has helped give her perspective.

“It’s nice to have something else to focus on in my downtime and choosing something you’re passionate about helps. Studying at Massey has made it possible to balance my academic goals with my sporting ones. Completing my degree extramurally has been crucial, given how much time I spend overseas during the semester.”

Erica Dawson – Sailing

As she prepares for her second Games, Erica Dawson says she has loved the last three years of campaigning towards the event with her sailing partner Micah Wilkinson.

“I feel super grateful and proud to be selected – this one is going to be very special! I’m looking forward to the Opening Ceremony and spending time with our country’s top athletes. The lead-up hasn’t always been easy, but we feel much better prepared this time around. Marseille is a unique venue for sailing, so we’ve been spending a significant amount of time understanding the conditions.”

It was her time spent on the ocean that inspired Erica to pursue a Master of Sustainable Development Goals.

“I studied a Bachelor of Business straight out of school which I really enjoyed at the time, but as my sailing career grew, my passion for the environment and protecting the ocean grew. I have really enjoyed the last two years of part-time study alongside my sailing commitments. This year, I’m taking a pause and plan to complete my master’s next year.”

While Erica encourages combining studying and sport, she says it’s important that student athletes don’t put too much pressure on themselves.

“In the grand scheme of things, it’s no biggie if you don’t complete it in the same timeframe as your peers, or if you need to go part-time or have semesters off. Massey is a great university to be at and offers flexibility with distance learning, and the lecturers are super accommodating with deadlines.”

Erica says it’s all about consistency at the end of the day.

“Sailing involves many variables, so to ensure a fair series, we need to have numerous races and it ends up being the most consistent team winning. Some teams may perform better in lighter winds, others in heavier or changeable winds. Often the winner at the end is not the person who has won the most races, but the person who has been the most consistent by sailing back through the fleet on their bad races.”