Level head needed for medicine and frisbee

If Eunice Ng is as competent as a doctor as she is at throwing a frisbee, then her patients will be in safe hands.

Medical school graduate and NZ frisbee representative

The frisbee fanatic graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Auckland at its November ceremony, having spent the past six years balancing study with competing in Ultimate Frisbee at the highest possible level.

The sport has taken her to four World Championships all over the globe and as a member of the of the University of Auckland Ultimate Frisbee team, she has won four national tertiary titles.
“A lot of people have not heard about Ultimate Frisbee and think it is about throwing a frisbee on the beach with your dog rather than a competitive sport,” Eunice, 24, says.

“It is in fact highly competitive, physically demanding, and one of the most rapidly growing sports especially in the high school scene,” she says.

Eunice had never thrown a frisbee before her final year at Avondale College when she discovered Ultimate, attending a trial at lunchtime while looking for a summer sport.

“Once I went, I was fascinated by the different ways a disc could be thrown, the athleticism and the strategy required to play Ultimate,” Eunice says.

I was fascinated by the different ways a disc could be thrown, the athleticism and the strategy required to play Ultimate

Eunice Ng

A unique aspect of the sport is that it is self-refereed, even at the highest level, relying on players to embrace the ‘spirit of the game’ which encompasses good sportsmanship, communication and fair play.

The sport is also widely accessible with a competition level disc (frisbee) costing only about $20.

“Ultimate Frisbee has taught me so many life skills: how to prioritise and organise myself to be able to juggle training, competitions, study and other activities, communicate effectively with others and maintain a level-head when in high-pressure situations,” Eunice adds.

When she’s not studying medicine or throwing a frisbee, Eunice dedicates her time to the St John ambulance as a volunteer ambulance officer. She has been involved with St John since joining as a cadet at the age of eight.

“It’s a privilege to be let into someone’s life at their most vulnerable times. I was also attracted to study medicine because it is an evolving profession where I am constantly challenged, constantly learning and constantly adapting.”

Eunice received a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree on Friday November 15 at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences graduation ceremony held at the Auckland Town Hall.

The faculty has its graduation ceremonies in November to allow graduates to enter the health workforce immediately rather than waiting until May, when students from other faculties graduate.

This year, 883 students graduated with qualifications in medicine, nursing, optometry, health science and pharmacy.

Next week Eunice will start as a House Officer at North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals.

Next July, she will represent New Zealand at the world championships of flying disc sports, the 2020 World Ultimate and Guts Championships to be held in the Netherlands.

Media contact:

Danelle Clayton | Media Adviser
Email:
d.clayton@auckland.ac.nz
Mob: 027 537 2580