Students to shine at Gallipoli Games

Three of Waikato University's team attending the Gallipoli Games, L-R, Hayden Moorhouse, Keith Inglis and Cameron Voykovich.

University of Waikato students are among athletes from New Zealand, Australia, France, Germany, India, Turkey and the UK selected to compete at the inaugural Gallipoli Games.

Starting tomorrow and running for five days, the Gallipoli Games marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli.

The games will take place in Gelibolu, Gallipoli and Istanbul in Turkey.

After this year, they'll be held every two years and hosted by the Turkish University Sports Federation.

The concept of the Gallipoli Games reflects the spirit of the Battle of Gallipoli, which is often referred to as the "gentlemen's war" due to the bond forged between the Allied soldiers that fought in the campaign.

Waikato students will endeavour to foster this spirit when they represent New Zealand at the Games later this month.

The students are Alice Bain and Rene Kapa, competing in beach volleyball; Cameron Voykovich in swimming; Hayden Moorhouse in triathlon and Keith Inglis in yachting.

All of the athletes from New Zealand will be supported by three managers, including Nicola Clayden from ULeisure, the University of Waikato's provider of sport and leisure services.

Hayden Moorhouse is looking forward to the opportunity to represent his country in what he says will be a technical triathlon course.

"The course for the triathlon is going to be challenging, he says.

"The cycle loop itself is only 2.5km, which is pretty short and it'll make for a technical ride going round eight times."

The University will be following the action live from the games. Follow updates at facebook.com/WaikatoUniversity.