Placement: Fitness training from the rugby field to metlife retirement village.

Studying Exercise and Sport Science at UCOL allowed Raphael Sa’u to learn by working with real clients and develop as a sportsman. A keen rugby player, Raphael wanted to study a subject that would complement his love for sports. The UCOL Te Pūkenga hands-on learning style was perfect for him.

Raphael enjoyed doing a placement at his old school, Palmerston North Boys’ High School. There, he worked with the Sports Development Programme, designing and coordinating training sessions for the top Year 9 and 10 athletes. Raphael states,

“We focused on the athletes’ growth; making sure their muscles were working efficiently, they were moving well, and preventing injuries. It was cool because I want to work with athletes as a career.” 

Another highlight was Raphael and his classmates running exercise sessions for the residents at Metlifecare Retirement Village.

“We had to come from training athletes really hard, to bring it right down to simple exercises. I loved it because the residents were really passionate about it.” 

Raphael also had the opportunity to observe an All Blacks’ gym session after reaching out to their Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Dr Nic Gill. Raphael was introduced to weightlifting by his UCOL Te Pūkenga Lecturer. As a member of the weightlifting club, Raphael competed and coached in several competitions.

“I fell in love with it because of how technical it was, and it was new and very challenging.”

Raphael says studying Exercise and Sports Science has greatly helped him with his sports.

“It has given me knowledge on when to train, and what kind of training I should be doing in certain parts of the year. The main thing I’ve learnt is how the body works; the science behind it is quite amazing.” 

Raphael is now juggling multiple jobs. He is a lecturer for the UCOL Te Pūkenga New Zealand Certificate in Exercise programme, the head of strength and conditioning for the Palmerston North Boys’ High School First XV, and a strength/conditioning and boxing coach at Zenith Fitness and Snap Back Boxing.

As a proud Samoan, Raphael hopes to inspire more young Pacific Islanders to pursue tertiary education.

“Hopefully if they see Pacific Islanders like me making it and graduating, they can think they can do it as well.”