Tauranga's new University of Waikato campus opens next year but is already helping to retain the city's top talent.

Bae Fountain, 17, the youngest goalkeeper to make the New Zealand men's water polo side, will study for a Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental Science and Aquaculture at the downtown campus from early-2019.

And his university career is already off to a flying start. Bae was awarded a University of Waikato Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship at the recent Mount Maunganui College graduation ceremony. The scholarship is worth up to $10,000 a year and offers personalised academic support, and access to leading sports coaches.

Bae's thrilled to stay in his hometown while pursuing his tertiary and sporting goals – and says he's 'super grateful” for the financial support the scholarship will provide.

'It was quite an honour to receive the certificate in front of all my peers. It will help me to be more financially stable while competing and getting an education.

'There really isn't funding available for my discipline and the cost of competing is significant.”

Bae is proud to be part of the first year's intake at the new Tauranga campus.

'That's super cool. I would be more than happy to promote that and be a big part of that scene. I'm really happy to not have to move away from home. A lot of my sporting friends do move away because they sort of have to.

'My home is where my family is and I don't want to move away just yet. So to be able to stay here and do my sport and get educated is pretty perfect.”

Bae has an impressive sporting CV that includes national volleyball selection.

First selected to represent NZ at water polo aged just 15, Bae played for the youth men's water polo team and represented NZ Schools at volleyball. Last year, aged 16, he became the youngest goalkeeper selected for the NZ open men's water polo team and was a member of the NZ junior men's volleyball team.

At 1.95m Bae is an imposing physical presence in goal. But he says being a young goalkeeper at senior international level has been challenging.

'I've had to increase my intelligence to play against them and use my physical attributes to work against theirs. I have to communicate with my players on defence; helping them out, giving them the position of the ball, because half of the players will be underwater.

'I don't swim as much as the field players do but I have to stay out of the water much higher than they do, so I rely on my legs more than them.”

In 2019 he wants to represent the NZ men's team again and also compete at the World University Games in Italy in July.