The annual I Tri'd the Tri series began this week with Massey staff and students prominent in its management.
The series is open to Palmerston North children aged 4-12 and sees them run, bike and swim their way through five events held each summer.
The event has grown to include more than 2500 participants a year since it began nine years ago.
Associate Professor Andy Martin, of the School of Sport and Exercise, has been one of the event managers since it began. He is also overseeing a number of students who are helping run the event as part of their learning.
Dr Martin says practical work is a great way to apply classroom learning and build real world skills before graduating.
"Over the next few weeks the students will assist with the kids' series, the interschool triathlon and the Weetbix triathlon," he says. "These opportunities allow the students to observe and apply theory to practice. They then add value to their own events and projects in the practicum paper."
Tim Hounsell has been volunteering for this year's event while completing a graduate diploma in teaching at Massey. His practicum last year was organising the Secondary School Sports Awards.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed the practicum opportunity given to me by Sport Manawatu and the new processes and theories I have implemented from study along the way," he says. "It has given me both contacts and great working relationships that will be highly useful in future as I pursue a career in the sport management industry."
Students in the sports management programme are all required to complete a practicum as part of their studies.
