2025 UniSport Nationals: The University of Sydney Crowned Overall UniSport Nationals Champion 

With the conclusion of the UniSport Nationals Cheer & Dance on Monday, UniSport Australia has crowned The University of Sydney (USYD) as the 2025 Overall National Champion University, after a year of consistently strong performances across the UniSport National Championships and Nationals on the Gold Coast.  

USYD have held the champion title since 2019, with this win marking their 16^th overall title, further establishing themselves as the benchmark of excellence across multiple sports and proving why they set the standard for university sport in Australia.  

USYD secured 17 pennants throughout the year across a wide range of Nationals University Championships and sports, starting with the Men’s Triathlon pennant in April in Wollongong through to the Women’s Volleyball pennant in September on the Gold Coast.   

Finishing second overall this year, with an impressive hall of pennants at Nationals Gold Coast was the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) with 14 pennants, and in third place, The University of Melbourne with seven. The University of Queensland finished fourth, and Monash University in fifth with six pennants each, rounding out the top five universities.  

UniSport Chief Executive Officer, Mark Sinderberry, commended all universities for their participation in this year’s national competitions. “Congratulations to all 41 member universities for their exceptional performances and sportsmanship throughout this year’s UniSport Nationals. The level of competition was outstanding, showcasing the incredible passion and commitment of student-athletes nationwide. In particular, I would like to congratulate The University of Sydney on their achievement of winning Overall Champion University. Their dominance in our national events showcases both the excellence of their student-athletes and the depth of their university sport culture.” 

Sydney Uni Sport and Fitness (SUSF) CEO, Ed Smith, announced “Sydney Uni Sport is very proud to be awarded the Overall Nationals Champion title for the 2025 UniSport Nationals. We would like to thank UniSport Australia and all of the other Universities’ sports organisations and students that put in a massive effort every year to make this year-long, multi-sport, pan-continental competition such a great student engagement event. On a personal level, I would like to thank our Head of Sport, Leonie Lum, her team and the clubs, team managers, The University of Sydney, and, most importantly, the 800+ students themselves who all work so hard every year to make this happen. They are the reason why The University of Sydney has proudly held this title since 2019.” 

Not only were the overall champions celebrated, but the Per Capita title also recognises a university that excelled beyond their size and scale. Bond University once again claimed the Doug Ellis Trophy (Overall Per Capita Champion University) which is awarded to the university with the highest point score following all sporting competitions, after it has been multiplied by the university’s population factor. 

Bond University’s Director of Sport, Mike Collins, said “At Bond we strive to provide the ultimate student experience and sport has a major role to play in that. Our Tier 1 sports and athletes in the Bond Elite Sport Program are given the support and resources required to be the best they can be, and we have achieved unprecedented success this year. Beyond that is catering for a vibrant club sport scene, and we are thrilled that has led to another Doug Ellis trophy.” 

Bond University Club Sport Manager, Rebecca Stower, added “The UniSport Nationals always brings out the very best in student spirit and camaraderie. The atmosphere at Nationals is something special – competitive, but with an incredible sense of fun and friendship. Our students throw themselves into the experience both on and off the field, and the support they show for each other across all sports is what makes it such a memorable week. It’s a great reminder that sport at Bond is about connection, energy, and pride as much as performance.” 

The John White Spirit Trophy was also awarded to The University of Queensland (UQ) in recognition of their commitment to embodying the spirit of the UniSport Nationals this year. UQ won the Ron Leahy Trophy as North Spirit Champions, as well. Monash University once again won the South Spirit Award, and Charles Sturt University won the Ben Tjen & Shane Alvisio Trophy as East Spirit Champions. Edith Cowan University retained the West Spirit Trophy. 

UniSport extends its congratulations to all the 2025 Overall and Regional winners. 

To see the 2025 final rankings, click here. UniSport looks forward to another year of thrilling competition, with the 2026 event calendar to be released soon.  

Overall Champions 

• Overall National Champion University – The University of Sydney 
• Overall Doug Ellis Per Capita Champion University – Bond University 
• Overall John White Spirit Champion University – The University of Queensland  

Overall UniSport University National Champions 

Regional Overall 

North Overall – Jodie Martin Trophy 

1 – The University of Queensland  

2 – University of the Sunshine Coast 

3 – Griffith University 

East Overall Trophy  

1 – The University of Sydney 

2 – University of Technology Sydney 

3 – UNSW Sydney 

South Overall – John Campbell Trophy 

1 – The University of Melbourne 

2 – Monash University 

3 – University of Tasmania 

West Overall Trophy 

1 – The University of Western Australia 

2 – Edith Cowan University 

3 – Curtin University 

Per Capita University Champion – Doug Ellis Trophy 

Regional Per Capita 

North Per Capita – Patron’s Population Cup 

1 – Bond University 

2 – University of the Sunshine Coast 

3 – Southern Cross University 

East Per Capita – Ann Mitchell Trophy 

1 – Charles Sturt University 

2 – University of Technology Sydney 

3 – The Australian National University 

South Per Capita – Hugh McKechnie Trophy 

1 – University of Tasmania 

2 – University of South Australia 

3 – Deakin University 

West Per Capita – Per Capita Champion Trophy 

1 – The University of Notre Dame Australia 

2 – Edith Cowan University 

3 – The University of Western Australia 

Spirit Champions 

• North Spirit Champions – The University of Queensland 
• East Spirit Champions – Charles Sturt University 
• South Spirit Champions – Monash University 
• West Spirit Champions – Edith Cowan University