Ella Lamb - BSportHPE
The Bachelor of Sport, Health and Physical Education set Ella on the path to a rewarding career.
Of Chinese ethnicity, Ella was adopted at the age of six into a wonderful Kiwi family and raised in Auckland along with two older Filipino brothers who are also adopted.
“I’m a competitive athlete and individual who loves to keep fit through playing sports competitively and socially. My main sport is Ultimate Frisbee, a non-contact sport that values the Spirit of the Game (respect, fair play, and integrity). I had the privilege of representing New Zealand at the U24 Worlds Championship in Nottingham in July.”
It was a Physical Education (PE) teacher in high school who unconditionally supported and encouraged her students that inspired Ella on her choice of study.
Seeing my own teacher inspired me to make a difference in the field of Physical Education (PE). I wanted my students / athletes to experience what I experienced, a teacher who is supportive, encouraging and who makes PE classes incredibly fun.
“The way she demonstrated her values made such a difference and positive impact. Seeing my teacher inspired me to make a difference in the field of PE. I wanted my students / athletes to experience what I experienced, a teacher who is supportive, encouraging and who makes PE classes incredibly fun.”
Ella chose the Sports Coaching and Leadership pathway, seeing it as an opportunity to combine her love of sports with encouraging others to keep fit and healthy.
Like many in her cohort though, she had to contend with virtual classes during her “covid degree”.
“What helped me get through was the support and encouragement from my lecturers. Gaining great knowledge from them is one of my highlights from the programme. A special thanks to: Dr Rod Philpot, Dr Blake Bennett, Josh Foreman, Alan Ovens and Wayne Smith.”
In 2023, Ella worked at Disability Sport Auckland as a Junior Sport Development Officer. Her role included running inclusive sport club and junior programmes providing kids with disabilities the opportunity to participate in sports.
“I was incredibly inspired by the determination and courage the kids showed as they participated in sports.”
Drawing upon her experience at Disability Sport Auckland, coaching various teams, and her current studies in physiotherapy, Ella is driven to pursue a career in the musculoskeletal rehabilitation field.
Ella’s advice for any students planning to study Sport, Health and Physical Education is to not be afraid to ask lecturers for help.
“They’re incredibly supportive and more than happy to meet up to have a discourse on queries you have.”