Click here to view article on Massey University site (10/08/2009)

Questions such as whether eye colour affects reaction times and whether listening to iPods helps or hinders endurance athletes were explored in a range of the sport science projects secondary school pupils submitted to a University symposium.

Pupils from across Auckland, from years 10-13, presented research in sport, wellness or health to the symposium at the Albany campus last week.

They were competing for a range of prizes sponsored by the ASB bank, food company Sanitarium, the Albany Students’ Association and bicycle maker Avanti, including an $800 bike voucher and study bursaries of up to $3000.

Sport and exercise science senior lecturer Dr Ajmol Ali was delighted with the results. “The symposium allows students to show off their academic prowess – covering important topics for the well-being of New Zealanders,” he said. “In doing so, they are practising very important life skills that will benefit them, not only for their current work at school, but also for the future.”

ASB Albany Branch manager Norma Clark, who presented the prizes, said it was the fourth year the bank had been involved. “We see it as a nice crossover for the year 12 and 13 students, who are looking at continuing their studies at Massey,” Mrs Clark said.

The year 13 winner was Dany Rassam from Rosmini College, with a project called “Analysis of the Stationary and Instep (Soccer) Kick”. Mr Rassam received a $3000 bursary and a $250 prize from ASB. Hamish Poulsin from Kristin School was second and Robin Iskander from Rosmini College third.

First in year 12 was Erica Donald from Pinehurst School, with “Peppermint Pep Up” – a study on the effect of peppermint on performance. Second was Nick Jowsey from Long Bay College and Avalon Biddle of Pinehurst School was third.

For years 10 and 11, Joseph Windsor from Mt Roskill Grammar School won with his entry “Boys on Bikes”, which also took out the Avanti prize for best research applied to cycling performance. Second was Georgia Phillimore of Pinehurst School and third was Elliot Crene of Rosmini College.

PRIZE WINNERS
Year 13 Winner School Prize
1st Place: Dany Rassam Rosmini College $3000 bursary + $250 ASB Prize
2nd Place: Hamish Poulsin Kristin School $2000 bursary + $250 ASB Prize
3rd Place: Robin Iskander Rosmini College $1000 bursary

Year 12
1st Place: Erica Donald Pinehurst School
2nd Place: Nick Jowsey Long Bay College
3rd Place: Avalon Biddle Pinehurst School

Year 10 & 11
1st Place: Joseph Windsor Mt Roskill Grammar School
2nd Place: Georgia Phillimore Pinehurst School
3rd Place: Elliot Crene Rosmini College

Sports Risk Management Group Prize for Best Injury Prevention Project:
Wade Marsh, Glenfield College: “The Effect of Warm Up on Injury Prevention.”
Avanti Prize for Best Research Applied to Cycling Performance:
Joseph Windsor, Mt Roskill Grammar School: “Boys on Bikes.”