He replaces Alistair McMurran, who recently retired after 39 years as a sports reporter with the newspaper.
Van Royen (28) is a product of Waimate High School.
He worked in the painting industry after leaving school, before attending Aoraki Polytechnic in 2012-2013, where he graduated with a national diploma in journalism and a national certificate in media communications.
He has covered club basketball for the ODT for the past two seasons.
Van Royen, who marries fiancee Maree in April, is a passionate fan of rugby, cricket, basketball and American football.
His major allegiances are to the Crusaders (regrettably), the Indianapolis Colts, the Indiana Pacers and the Dutch football team.
He has been a regular touch player, and will run his third half-marathon in Dunedin next month.
Readers may contact van Royen via email (robert.vanroyen@odt.co.nz) or telephone (03 479 3605 ext 8143).
