Sport report: VU Vultures at UniSport Nationals

Held from 7 – 13 September 2024, the UniSport Nationals competition is the pinnacle of university sport in Australia, and the largest multi-sport event in the country, bringing together 6,000 students for a week of intense competition. 

The event commenced last week with a Welcome Ceremony on Ngunnawal Country on Monday morning. 

Our team of 70 students took to the sand, courts, and fields, showcasing their unwavering competitive spirit in six different sports: AFL 9s mixed, men's and women's basketball, men's pair beach volleyball, men’s football, women’s netball and women’s taekwondo. 

Competition highlights

• Sarah Upton, a taekwondo (poomsae) elite student-athlete (Bachelor of Paramedicine), won gold in her division for the second consecutive year
• five of our six teams advanced to medal matches
• our AFL 9’s team earned a silver medal
• our men’s beach volleyball duo secured bronze
• the men’s football and women’s basketball teams showcased exceptional skill and determination, finishing in the top four nationally
• our women’s netball team claimed silver in the Division 2 competition.

Sports Coordinator and Team Manager Julz Nannetti led the team alongside student Captains Casidhe Green (Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminology) and Hamish Inglish (Master of Exercise Rehabilitation).

Hamish said he was proud to “be able to witness the culture that has developed over the last few years.”

Once again, I have made friendships and memories that can only be made through this competition. I am forever indebted to this uni for what they have given me. I love you VU,” Hamish said.

Casidhe, who has competed in several UniSport Nationals said: 

It was one of our most successful Nationals yet; it was inspiring to see our team continuing to build a strong and supportive culture, both on and off the field.”

For Team Manager Julz, it was “incredibly gratifying to see students take pride in wearing the VU colours and consistently support one another.”

“It builds on our representation and success this year at other sporting events, including the 2024 University Basketball League and National University Championships for Athletics, Swimming and 3x3 Basketball,” Julz said.