Six years after starting a Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance, Bay Venues Programme Facilitator Jacob Arrowsmith has officially earned his degree.
Jacob was able to finish his qualification this year after being selected as an inaugural recipient of the $5000 University of Waikato Sponsors’ Award. The prestigious scholarship, offered as part of Bay Venues’ partnership with the University of Waikato, is designed to support Bay Venues staff as they pursue tertiary study at the University of Waikato Tauranga campus.
Jacob, 25, started his Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance in 2020 but took a break from his studies in 2022. He had always planned to finish his degree, majoring in Healthy Active Living, so when an opportunity to obtain a scholarship and complete his qualification came up, he knew 2026 was the year to make it happen.
“I had three more papers left and the scholarship helped to finish them,” Jacob says.
The scholarship arrived at a crucial time, while he was balancing several other financial commitments, and the additional support meant he no longer had to make difficult decisions about whether completing his studies was financially viable.
The degree has proved highly relevant to his role at Bay Venues. While some sport and exercise pathways focus on personal training or coaching individuals, Jacob's studies were centred on improving health outcomes for communities and population groups.
Working across a range of programmes and demographics at Bay Venues, he says the qualification has helped him think more creatively about programme design and better understand the reasoning behind different approaches to encouraging healthy, active lifestyles.
Although he was initially drawn to the practical elements of the degree, his interests shifted over time toward policy and community wellbeing. He enjoyed creating activities and programmes for different groups and exploring what makes participation meaningful and engaging for diverse communities.
Beyond helping cover the cost of his final papers, the scholarship also provided extra motivation to complete his degree and achieve strong results.
With some scholarship funding remaining, Jacob was able to enrol in further language papers.
Jacob is proud to have completed the degree and is grateful to Bay Venues and the University of Waikato for helping to make it possible.
“It was perfect timing and I really, really appreciate it,” he says.
University of Waikato Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Alister Jones congratulated Jacob on his achievement and is looking forward to “seeing the way he brings his studies to life through community activations”.
“Our partnership with Bay Venues is reflective of our commitment to the region and this scholarship is a great example of the tangible ways we are making a difference,” Professor Jones says.
Bay Venues and the University of Waikato will partner again to provide a range of scholarships and benefits for Bay Venues staff in 2027.
Through its commercial partnership with Bay Venues, the University of Waikato is helping to support the activation and growth of Tauranga’s sports and fitness venues.
