Brodie

What are you studying?

I’m working towards a Bachelor of Sport Coaching – Strength and Conditioning with Nutrition. It’s centred around training athletes to be able to better themselves in their sport by working on themselves first, through building strength and good nutrition.

What sparked your interest in that?

I was brought into sport at a very early age, playing football or rugby and other sports. I always got joy from helping others understand how to play, and all my coaches have been really inspiring. It made me want to carry that on with future generations of children and adults.

Speaking of sport, you’re super into rugby.

I played in high school, and now I play for some club teams. I’ve also been playing with Māori Rugby Waitaha for five years. This year we won the Mat Moeahu Memorial Trophy, which can be contested by any Māori team in NZ.

How has that helped you connect with your Māori heritage?

I get to do something I enjoy while learning about my own culture. Being able to speak the karakia at the start, before food or after training, and getting more of the boys that are just there for rugby to speak a bit more te reo and learn about their culture.

Has your study helped you in real-life applications?

Last year I’ve had several broken bones and surgeries. The sport psychology really helped with the mental side of things, and the strength and conditioning aspect helped me continue using muscles that I wouldn't have otherwise. And with not being able to do as much exercise, the nutrition helped because I knew what to cut down on. It all helped me come back a lot stronger.