Spotlight on rising stars: recognising tertiary sport talent with inaugural awards

The winners were announced at this year’s Blues Sports Awards, with Liam Judd receiving the Tertiary Sportsman of the Year Award, while Milla Green and Sophie Egnot-Johnson were joint winners of the Tertiary Sportswoman of the Year Award.

These newly established awards aim to highlight the talent and dedication of student athletes who, in addition to their academic and sporting commitments, also devote their time and energy to representing Massey in UTSNZ competitions. The selection process considers their achievements, including selection for tournament teams, performance during tournaments and team leadership or contribution.

Massey Tertiary Sportsman of the Year

Bachelor of Sport and Exercise student Liam Judd received the Sportsman of the Year Award for his significant contributions to the bronze-medal-winning campaign at the Tertiary Men’s Basketball Championships. Alongside his UTSNZ commitments, Liam also played for the Property Brokers Manawatū Jets in the 2024 New Zealand National Basketball League (NBL), achieving several career highs including scoring 30 points against the Wellington Saints in May.

Sport Advancement Coordinator Chris Sharrock says Liam was consistently a top scorer and played nearly every minute during the UTSNZ Basketball event.

“It was a huge boost to the boys in the team to have someone of Liam’s experience sharing the court with them. He was a fantastic ambassador for the university off the court, and his on-court performance, skill and knowledge made him extremely deserving of being named in the tournament team for the event.”

Liam says sport has always been his outlet to escape the pressures of school and work. He loves the team aspect of basketball and getting to share the court with friends. While he’s playing at a higher level now that he thought he would, Liam says his enjoyment of the game remains paramount.

“Basketball allows me to work hard and compete for a shared goal with my teammates, which is something I’m passionate about. It’s what inspired me to get involved with UTSNZ, as I realised it was an opportunity to make new friends to play basketball with – something I couldn’t refuse!”

Coming into the team as relative strangers, Liam, as one of the more experienced members, stepped into a leadership role, which he says contributed to his personal growth.

“It wasn’t something I’d had much experience with, but I proved to myself I could lead a group to success and gained useful qualities and experiences in that short time. The support and respect my teammates gave me from day one was very meaningful and helped me step up. The support from Massey was also huge. We shared a mutual feeling of optimism that we could achieve great things this year, and we went on to receive the third place medal. I think we surprised everyone with our performance, and it’s only up from here.”

Liam says it was an awesome surprise to be the recipient of the inaugural award.

“It’s an honour, especially given the talented group of nominees I was part of. I’m grateful to have been selected and am super excited to continue my journey at Massey, both in my studies and sport, as this is only the beginning.”

For fellow student athletes considering getting involved in UTSNZ, Liam encourages them to go for it.

“I know when you finish high school there are fewer opportunities to play the sports you love. UTSNZ is a great way to spend a weekend doing just that, and as a bonus, you meet and compete against some really great people. It’s something you won’t regret.”

Massey Tertiary Sportswomen of the Year

Milla Green

Bachelor of Nursing student Milla Green was recognised as a joint winner of the Sportswoman of the Year Award for her vital role in the 2024 UTSNZ Tertiary Futsal Championships, where she ran through teams to set-up and score goals. She was selected to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Futsal Championships in Shanghai, China, where the team narrowly missed out on a bronze medal.

Milla began her sporting journey at four years old, joining Kiwi Kicks Football after being inspired by her friends and siblings. Football eventually led her to futsal at age eight, when one of her coaches formed a team for a futsal league.

Given that futsal was unfamiliar to many at the time, Milla says she was fortunate to have tried many sports during her childhood.

“From the moment I played futsal, I fell in love with the game. It’s fast, requires lots of touches on the ball and demands all players be involved and switched on. It’s just super fun and I’m truly fortunate to be part of the futsal family, training and playing with and against my friends. Being involved in the UTSNZ Tertiary Futsal Championships introduced me to new teammates and allowed me to compete against some of the best players in the country, which refined my skills and deepened my understanding of the sport.”

Reflecting on her UTSNZ experience this year, Milla says it was the fun of the tournament she liked most.

“The Massey team was an amazing group, creating a fun environment to be a part of. The coach and manager were so supportive, ensuring we could focus solely on playing. I also appreciate the understanding of my Massey lecturers and tutors, who have supported me in balancing my studies with my sporting commitments this year, especially while I was away in China.”

Milla says it was an honour to be representing New Zealand in Shanghai.

“It was an incredible experience to travel overseas and compete against high-level players. It challenged me mentally, and I now feel better equipped to compete at an international level. My journey to making the squad was greatly supported by UTSNZ, and I want to extend my gratitude for their continued support in organising annual competitions, giving players additional opportunities to play competitively.”

Being named Tertiary Sportswoman of the Year was an unexpected surprise for Milla.

“It’s a tremendous honour to receive this award alongside Sophie Egnot-Johnson, who is such a talented athlete. It inspires me to continue my futsal development journey. I truly love the sport and believe the wins come from teamwork and having fun. I’m grateful to have spent my training and game time with amazing players, coaches and support crew who have shaped me into the futsal player I am.”

For anyone interested in competing in UTSNZ, Milla has the following advice:

“Just put yourself forward and do it! You’ll meet new people, have lots of fun and it may open the door to further opportunities in your sport.”

Sophie Egnot-Johnson

Bachelor of Science student Sophie Egnot-Johnson also received the Tertiary Sportswoman of the Year Award. It’s been a big year for Sophie, as she finished with a silver medal in the Championship Women’s Single Sculls at the 2024 UTSNZ Tertiary Rowing Championships, after which she was selected to compete for New Zealand at the FISU World University Rowing Championships in the Netherlands, achieving a commendable fourth place.

“Sophie’s passion and enthusiasm for competing at the highest level are well-documented through the numerous occasions she has represented New Zealand at various regattas, showcasing her commitment to excellence in her sport,” Mr Sharrock says.

Read more about Sophie’s journey here.