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The annual University Games competition took place in Auckland over four days during the Easter Break from April 26 to 29. At least 2000 participants in over 20 sporting disciplines competed in the event that was nonsensically named “2011 Super City Uni Games”.
Otago University went into the games as defending champions, having taken the 2010 title in Invercargill. Due to the logistical hurdle of travelling to Auckland on expensive flights, as well as a universal dislike for Aucklanders and their tight jeans, Otago was unable to field as strong a team this year.
 

Auckland University managed to take the title thanks to consistent results in all sports as well as the blatant advantage of being from Auckland. It was the first time they got their well-manicured hands on the shield since 2002.

 
“Super City Uni Games” hosts AUT came in second, with Victoria University rounding out the podium. Otago put up a valiant fight to take fourth, with some outstanding performances in several sports.

 
Scott Thomas fuelled up on Easter Bunny chocolate and rode away from the bunch to take a comfortable win in the men’s cycling event, nabbing a gold medal for the Otago Team. Scott was stoked with his result and described the games as “a memorable event [and] I encourage others to make the effort to travel to in the future.”
 

Otago also took gold in the lawn bowls, with Abbey Dugdale and Rebecca Jelley putting in a stellar performance to bring home some bling for the poolroom.
 

Otago’s third gold came from Sophie-Ann Chin in the women’s karate kata event.
 

Otago managed silver in the netball after a tough battle against AUT. The mixed touch team came in third, along with the women’s basketball team, who won their bronze medal match 47-32 against Auckland.

 
The Otago badminton team came up against stiff competition from the North so were ecstatic to come home with a bronze medal. “It was an epic trip and a great way to spend our Easter Break,” team captain, Pavithar Gill exclaimed.

 
Results
 
Gold Lawn Bowls
Gold Men’s Cycling
Gold Karate Kata
 
Silver Netball
 
Bronze Men’s Badminton
Bronze Mixed Touch
Bronze Women’s Basketball
 
1st Auckland University
 
2nd AUT University
 
3rd Victoria University
 
4th Otago University
 
5th Massey University Albany
 
6th Waikato University
 
7th Massey University Palmerston North
 
8th Canterbury University
 
9th Lincoln University