NWU and New Zealand Launch High-Performance Sport Partnership
- Karen Scheepers
- Aug 21
- 1 min read
North West University has taken a significant step in strengthening its international profile through a new collaboration with New Zealand. The partnership focuses on high-performance sport and sports science, connecting NWU with one of the world’s leading nations in rugby and athletic research.
Campus Visit
Prof Michael Hamlin and Peter Magson visited NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus to explore potential areas of cooperation. Their programme included meetings with academics and staff involved in sport bursaries, guided tours of the High-Performance Institute and the Centre for Health and Human Performance, and a guest lecture that engaged students across faculties.
Academic Contribution
Prof Hamlin delivered a lecture titled “Instrumented mouthguards and how we can use them to make rugby safer.” The talk aligned with NWU’s “Brain Health and Concussion” initiative, led by Prof Hans de Ridder, which aims to improve athlete safety through innovative research.
Strategic Discussions
The visit also included a meeting with NWU vice-chancellor Prof Bismark Tyobeka. Discussions covered student and staff exchanges, rugby scholarships, collaborative research opportunities, and the development of joint teaching initiatives in sport and physical activity.
Future Plans
The collaboration is being formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding between NWU and Lincoln University in New Zealand, a globally respected institution in applied sciences and sport research. Upcoming plans include joint research projects, exchange programmes, and shared teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A delegation from NWU is scheduled to visit New Zealand in November 2025 to strengthen the partnership further.
I’ve followed rugby for years, and seeing research like “instrumented mouthguards” being shared feels like a real step forward for athlete safety. Partnerships like this aren’t just about exchanging knowledge, they also create space for new opportunities—student exchanges, scholarships, and practical research that benefits both sides. It reminds me of how in football, even something as technical as an under 2.5 prediction depends on careful analysis and shared expertise. The same principle applies here: combining data, experience, and collaboration creates stronger outcomes. For NWU students, this could mean exposure to new training methods and health-focused innovation, while for New Zealand it strengthens ties with a university committed to athlete wellbeing. It feels like a genuinely promising step.