Team Otago in with good chance

University of Otago netballers Rebecca van Rooyen (left) and Rachel Carr train for next week's New Zealand University Games in Wellington. They are watched by Team Otago and Otago University Students' Association organisers (from left) Blake Luff, James Grubb, Nicole Stowers and Jaimee Quarrie. Photo by Linda Robertson.

Since the annual contest was established in 1902, the University of Otago team has claimed the shield a record 35 times.

It last had the trophy in 2010, losing it to Auckland last year.

But organisers and team managers are confident their current athletes are at the top of their game.

Team Otago comprises 42 participants who will travel to compete in Wellington in mixed touch, lawn bowls, netball and badminton tournaments from April 10.

The netball team came second, and badminton team first, at last year's university games.

This weekend, 82 Otago rowers will also compete on Lake Hood at Ashburton and 12 Team Otago debaters will do battle in Wellington as part of the games.

When it began, the games comprised just three disciplines - tennis, athletics and debating.

It now involves more than 1000 participants and is one of the largest annual multisport events in the country.

This year, 11 sports will be contested - badminton, basketball, twenty/20 cricket, debating, football, lawn bowls, netball, sevens rugby, touch, ultimate frisbee and volleyball.