This two-part series will introduce our Wellness Programme activities and the people who run them. If you’ve been thinking of trying one of the many great activities available, read on to find out what you can expect. Next week, we’ll profile hula dancing, meditation and Bollywood dancing.
Vege Gardening
Helen Polley at the vege garden
Facilitator: Helen Polley, Sustainability Coordinator
Wednesday, 12 – 1pm, at the vege garden between B111 and B112
Cost: Free, no need to register
At the campus vegetable garden you’ll learn about gardening in an informal, inexpensive way. Join in and you might be inspired to grow a little something at home! The garden also supplies fresh vegetables for staff and students to take home.
Stop for a chat and help to water the plants, spread mulch or pull out weeds, and snip some leaves off for dinner. The group is currently harvesting what they’ve planted before a potential move to a location that includes an automated watering system – keep an eye on the calendar for location change.
A bit about Helen…
I’m Unitec’s Sustainability Coordinator. I really love my job – I believe that educational organisations have such a great opportunity to share environmental issues and I have always lived rurally so gardens and growing the majority of my food is the norm for me. I love being outside as much as possible, either at home or cycling, tramping and ocean swimming. Doing these things with cherished friends and family is a great day for me!
Futsal/Indoor Football
Facilitators: Erin Hughes and Daniel Achonwa
Wednesday, 4 – 5pm and Friday, 1 – 2pm, in B174 (Sports Centre)
Cost: Free, but please register
Futsal is played on a hard court, smaller than a football pitch and usually indoors, similar to five-a-side football. It is fast-paced and very popular not only here at Unitec but globally. You’re welcome to come along and try it out – no experience necessary! There are players of all skill level playing each week. You can sign up for the games via the event calendar on the Nest.
Erin Hughes
A bit about Erin…
My role is Health and Safety Administrator/Project Coordinator. I’m originally from the United States but have been in New Zealand for nearly seven years and am married to a Kiwi. I studied at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and studied “overseas” for a semester at the University of Auckland, earning a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English and a minor in Communications.
I grew up playing soccer, basketball, and competitive swimming. I’m the goalkeeper for Ellerslie AFC – our team was recently promoted into the Lotto NRFL Premier, which is the highest level of club football in New Zealand. Futsal is a way for me to have a fun run-around on the court because during my season I’m always in the goal!
Daniel Achonwa
A bit about Daniel…
My role at Unitec is International Relationship Coordinator, managing the study abroad and exchange portfolio. I come from a multicultural family (parents from different countries) but I call Africa home, which is where I was born. This, among other things, has caused some folks in New Zealand to describe me as a “fruit salad”.
Although I come from a family of academics, we are also naturally sporty and engage with sports in different ways (especially soccer/football). I am drawn to the beautiful game, in whatever form it takes. Prior to Unitec, I had never played futsal/indoor football, which kinda has a different gameplay and slightly different rules to the traditional game, but I love it and can’t get enough of it!
Boot camp
Facilitator: Dan Brady (stepping down – keep an eye out for the announcement of the new facilitator)
Wednesday, 12pm – 1pm, on the field near B47
Cost: Free, but please register
Boot camps take all shapes and forms and can vary in location (beaches, parks gyms), participants (experienced athletes or beginners) and tone (harsh or encouraging). At Unitec’s boot camp, Dan caters for all levels, and is welcoming and inclusive. Activities include functional movements like jogging, push-ups, squats and sit ups, and all exercises can be modified to suit your level of fitness. The group is positive and supportive of each other, pushing themselves but also having fun. With a new facilitator starting soon, keep an eye on the event calendar in The Nest. The boot camp sessions are very popular, so please register if you wish to participate.
A bit about Dan…
I’m the Director of Enrolment and Academic Operations, supporting and leading the teams that deliver our phone services through Concentrix, Timetabling, Enrolment Set-up, Enrolment Processing, Student Finance, Graduation and Academic registry. I’m married and have two children: Connor (10, champion athlete) and Isla (8, future Performing Arts student).
I have a long and diverse background in sport including provincial rugby, national track and field teams and the World Firefighter championships. I’ve coached rugby, athletics, hockey and I’m working on my appreciation of jazz ballet and hip hop. I’ve had some pretty horrendous injuries (currently awaiting spinal surgery) and I found it was really easy to get out of shape when I wasn’t active…and chip and dip were so accessible! My experience is that people thrive in the supportive environment of bootcamp, pushing themselves while having fun (and almost forgetting they’re sweating profusely!)
Note: Over the summer season, there is a new bootcamp running on Wednesdays 12 – 1pm, in the Reclaim Training room next to the Sports Centre. Our awesome facilitator, John Russell, is running sessions for 12 weeks. There is a small cost of $4 – $7 cash (whatever you can afford), with the rest of the cost subsidised by Unitec. Check out the Nest calendar for more information.
Currently most of our Wellness activities are held at our Mt Albert campus. If you can facilitate a regular session or have suggestions for activities at Waitākere, please get in touch at connect@unitec.ac.nz
The 2019 Boot camp crew