Otago Polytechnic is helping produce some of the country's finest performance analysts.
The polytechnic started offering a graduate diploma in performance analysis at its Dunedin campus three years ago as a spinoff from the strength and conditioning diploma.
Senior performance analysis lecturer Hayden Croft said the polytechnic had been ''extremely supportive'' of the new diploma, which involved data analysis, profile scouting, coding, video analysis and working with GPS monitors on players.
Croft said the high demand for top-level performance analysts in New Zealand sport
had prompted him to start the diploma, which had 15 full
and part-time students this year.
Croft organised placements for the students with Otago rugby, Otago cricket and the Southern Steel netball team, while correspondence students were with the Auckland-based Mystics netball team and North Harbour rugby this year.
The diploma had a high success rate for jobs and currently had graduates working with Cycling New Zealand, Rowing New Zealand, New Zealand Cricket, the New Zealand Warriors, Mitre 10 Cup rugby teams and the Highlanders.
Four of the six ANZ Premiership netball teams also had performance analysts from the diploma.
Next year, the diploma will offer a post-graduate diploma, with the option of a master's degree the year after.
-By Kayla Hodge
