Fees-free is available for eligible first-time tertiary learners. Find out if you’re eligible at feesfree.govt.nz
Learn about both the theory and practical aspects of coaching, discover how to prescribe and deliver exercise programmes and gain outdoor recreation and leadership skills. You’ll learn about human anatomy and physiology, event planning, skill development, introduction to sport and exercise science, sociology and leadership. It’s the start of your pathway into the sports science industry.
We have great facilities, including a high performance lab at McKay Stadium, which gives the opportunity to learn advanced physical testing techniques using the latest technology. We also have a well-equipped gym on our Raumanga campus.
About this programme
This programme provides students with an academic pathway into the sports science industry. More than 1700 Northlanders are employed in the sport and recreation sector, making it Northland’s 7th biggest industry by employment.
NorthTec offers qualifications up to degree level in Sport, Recreation and Exercise:
All credits gained in this programme can be used towards the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation.
How you will learn
Lectures, tutorials, workshops with independent study and flexible learning strategies - Face to Face, Distance (Online), and Blended.
Self-directed learning activities may include, but are not limited to: completion of video and assessments, group work, research, and current issues awareness.
Admission information
Applicants under 20 years of age:
Applicants aged 20 years or above:
English Language Requirements:
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All applicants must have a level of English sufficient to be able to study at this level. Those students whose first language is not English must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall academic score of at least 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5; accepted international equivalence issued within the last two years, or a qualification considered to be equivalent to the above.
Special Entry:
Police check:
Qualification gained
New Zealand Diploma in Sport, Recreation and Exercise (Multi-Sector) (Level 5)
What will you learn?
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to operate independently across the sport, recreation and exercise sector. Apply concepts and theories of exercise science to develop health and wellness solutions to meet the needs of individuals, groups and/or communities. Graduates will contribute to the cultural, social and economic wellbeing of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
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Integrate knowledge, concepts and trends from across the sport, recreation and exercise industries to inform professional practice.
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Plan, monitor and role model safe, ethical and professional practices and procedures for self, others and organisation while operating within sport, recreation and/or exercise environments.
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Lead and manage a range of tasks and activities within own scope of practice to achieve sport, recreation and exercise outcomes for individuals, groups and/or communities.
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Supervise others to ensure safe, ethical and professional practice and procedures in sport, recreation and/or exercise settings.
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Apply concepts and theories of exercise science to develop health and wellness solutions to meet the needs of individuals, groups and/or communities.
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Develop, coordinate and evaluate the delivery of a range of sport, recreation and/or exercise activities, programmes and/or events to meet the needs of individuals, groups and/or communities.
Courses in this programme
| Compulsory Courses |
Level |
Credits |
|
5001 - Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science
Aim: Students will learn the terminology and fundamental principles of anatomy, physiology and nutrition as they relate to sport, exercise and fitness.
On successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Discuss and apply terminology of anatomical structure and function to sport exercise and fitness
- Describe the physiological process of nominated organ systems and their response to sport exercise and fitness.
- Describe and explain musculoskeletal movement to show understanding of sports injuries.
- Apply concepts and themes of exercise science to developing health and wellness solutions.
Indicative content:
- Anatomical terminology related to sport and exercise
- Structure and function of musculoskeletal cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
- Functional movement analysis.
- Cardiovascular and respiratory monitoring.
- Fundamentals of musculoskeletal sports injuries.
- Introduction to metabolism and energy systems in sport and rec.
- Developing and evaluating health and wellness solutions.
|
5 |
15 |
|
5002 - Skill Learning and Technique Development
Aim: Students will develop knowledge and competencies required for effective skill and technique learning and teaching across a range of exercise sport and recreational activities. They will apply testing protocols to assess in a practical setting.
On successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Design appropriate skill learning activities in an exercise sport and/or recreation setting.
- Analyse and facilitate a learner centred environment appropriate for exercise sport or recreation activity.
- Demonstrate understanding and application of learning theories and skill acquisition in a variety of situations.
- Identify and apply appropriate communication skills for working with people in an exercise, sport or recreation setting.
Indicative content:
- Learning processes and motor skills
- Learning theories
- Skill acquisition
- Barriers to learning
- Learning through fitness and exercise activities
- Feedback to and communication with clients
- Planning, programming and creating optimal learning environments in the exercise sport and recreation industries
- Testing to assist session planning
- Planning, delivering correct technique in a safe environment
- Evaluation of technique and skill learning
|
5 |
15 |
|
5003 - Exercise, Sport and Recreation Planning
Aim: Students will develop skills for planning sustainable and innovative programmes within exercise sport and recreational experiences.
On successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Explain how the principles of planning, innovation and sustainable programme development can be applied within sport and recreation.
- Plan and problem-solve within a relevant exercise sport or recreation context.
- Demonstrate effective communication and leadership styles and skills to achieve a specified outcome.
- Develop a range of performance indicators and goals and evaluate against them.
Indicative content:
- Principles and practice approach
- Evaluate performance outcomes and participant feedback in coaching and delivery
- Apply time management theories techniques and skills
- Using current best practice to design and create sustainable programmes
- Map stakeholders and manage clients/athletes
- Establish goals and SMART objectives
- Develop, deliver, assess and reflect on the planning and delivery of a programme
- Reflect on feedback from those you have planned for
- Communication styles and forms of presentation appropriate to the industry
|
5 |
15 |
|
5004 - Academic and Professional Skills
Aim: Students will discuss and implement the principles of communication, academic computing skills, knowledge construction, academic and scientific literacy and writing.
On successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Develop a line of enquiry using an appropriate research approach.
- Review a range of academic literature in sport, exercise and recreation.
- Demonstrate academic integrity in writing and presentation skills.
- Demonstrate appropriate academic writing and computing skills.
Indicative content:
- Personal and professional development for leadership in the sport exercise and recreation industry
- Line of enquiry
- Research methods and approaches
- Source, sort and assess academic literature
- Personal communication and management skills against an industry standard
- Relevant academic digital processing and presentation skills
|
5 |
15 |
|
5005 - Sport Exercise and Recreation in Aotearoa New Zealand
Aim: Students will review the sport and recreation industry in Aotearoa New Zealand. They will examine the roles and relationships of key sport and recreation organisations and sectors.
On successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Investigate the sport and recreation industry in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Analyse inter-organizational relationships within the context of the sport and recreation industry in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically within the sport and recreation industry context.
- Analyse knowledge concepts and trends from across the industry to inform professional practice.
Indicative content:
- Critical thinking of the sport exercise and recreation industry in NZ
- Inter-organisational relationships
- Governance and the role of central and local government
- Profit, not for profit, private and public sectors
- Sociocultural influences including Mātauranga Māori
- Sport Recreation, fitness health and physical education sectors
- Using critical analysis to inform professional practice
- Aspects of the Exercise Sport and Recreation industry relevant to the local environment in a national context
|
5 |
15 |
|
5006 - Human Anatomy and Physiology
Aim: Students identify and understand human anatomy and physiology and the application to human movement, nutrition, energy systems and injury management.
On successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate the use of terminology relevant to human anatomy and physiology.
- Describe the structure of human tissue and the gross anatomy of major organ systems.
- Integrate knowledge of physiology into exercise and sport, health and wellness.
- Describe physiological processes of major human organ systems including the role of homeostasis in maintaining their integrity related to nutrition and exercise.
- Provide and manage first aid in an emergency situation.
Indicative content:
- Organisation of the body
- Structure and function of cells and tissues
- Major body systems
- Application of physiology to programming and training
- Metabolism and energy systems in sport and recreation
- Macro and micronutrient components in food
- Fundamentals of sport and exercise nutrition
- Food guidance systems
- Comprehensive First Aid Certificate
|
5 |
15 |
|
5007 - Leadership in Exercise Sport and Recreation
Aim: Students will examine the key leadership concepts needed to effect change in the context of sport, exercise and the outdoors.
On successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Explain the significance of self-awareness in leadership.
- Discuss contemporary, bi-cultural perspectives of leadership in relation to sport exercise and recreation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Describe and analyse leadership roles and responsibilities relevant to the prescribed sport, exercise or recreation workplace practice.
Indicative content:
- Definitions and characteristics of leadership
- Knowing self and self-leadership
- Purpose of leadership
- Decision-making, questioning and reflection
- Socio-cultural considerations in leadership
- Critical analysis of leadership and management within the industry
- Effective workplace practice.
- Leadership in different scenarios
- Personal and ethical responsibility
|
5 |
15 |
|
5008 - Exercise, Sport and Recreation Issues in Society
Aim: Students will examine the nature and place of sport, exercise and recreation in Aotearoa New Zealand society from a sociological perspective.
On successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Discuss and interpret contemporary issues in sport and recreation.
- Examine the historical, social and bicultural and multicultural influences affecting the sport exercise and recreation industry in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Demonstrate understanding of the impact of values, principles and purpose on ethical decision-making processes and outcomes.
- Analyse the influence of the education system in New Zealand on the development of sport and exercise and recreation and apply this knowledge to a coaching delivery experience.
Indicative content:
- Critical thinking models
- Traditional unstructured play
- Young peoples’ experience of organised sport
- Coaching and delivery practice in sport, recreation and exercise settings
- The role of education in sport exercise and recreation delivery of a school based programme
- Gender issues in coaching and exercise and sport
- Multiculturalism and biculturalism in the Aotearoa New Zealand context
- The sporting ‘body’
- Ethical decision making
- Critical analysis of contemporary issues in sport exercise and coaching in NZ
- Skills relevant to working with people in current society.
|
5 |
15 |
Career opportunities
This qualification could lead to employment (paid or volunteer) in a variety of roles such as: event supervisor; exercise consultant; hauora or health educator; Kaiarahi; OSCAR leader; recreation supervisor; recreation programme coordinator; sport development officer; sport coordinator; Whānau Ora leader.
Additional Costs
All students are expected to bring their own Internet capable device. (B.Y.O.D.). This can be any type of hardware that is able to connect to the Internet. Devices include iPads, laptops, Mac’s, PC’s tablets, or smartphones. Although any device can be used we recommend the purchase of a non-cellular iPad Air (32GB) with a Griffin Survivor protective case (minimum specifications, you can buy a newer model). Please contact dclark@northtec.ac.nz for further information.
Our Tutors
Our tutors love their work and what it means for community and individual health and wellness. From nutrition and skill acquisition to coaching and leadership, they all enjoy working in education and lifelong learning with a strong sense of “working all together”. NorthTec’s Sports and Recreation tutors hold qualifications in their fields at a Bachelor and Masters’ degree with some staff working on completing a Masters’ degree or PhD. With an emphasis on fun and fitness, the tutors feel the area of study has grown further into overall wellbeing rather than limiting learner activities to sport and exercise and they are passionate about sharing this with Northland.