UniSport Nationals return to their traditional home on the Gold Coast

UniSport Australia Media Release

For release: Friday 22 September 2023

UniSport Australia (UniSport) will return to the traditional home of UniSport Nationals on Kombumerri land this week as over 6000 student-athletes will compete for national titles from 23 to 29 September 2023.

Student-athletes from 39 universities across Australia will compete in 31 sports across seven days to determine the overall Champion University for 2023. Defending Champions, The University of Sydney are strongly positioned to retain their title they won in Perth, Western Australia last year after some outstanding performances throughout the year.

UniSport Chief Executive Officer, Mark Sinderberry explains “UniSport’s national events are a wonderful opportunity for students to gain a greater sense of connection to their university and experience the comradery of connecting with students from around Australia” said Sinderberry.

Returning to the Gold Coast for the first time since 2019, Sinderberry highlights that “the Gold Coast is a fantastic setting to connect, compete and celebrate with students from across the country and is a popular destination for student-athletes.”

Sinderberry also extended his appreciation to our strategic partners, Tourism and Events Queensland and Major Events Gold Coast, for their continued support of university sport, particularly UniSport Nationals.

“I’ve never met a uni student who hasn’t wanted to ditch the study books for a day of sport,’’ said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.

“The UniSport Nationals has attracted over 6000 keen university students to the coast for a week of rivalry as they compete for the coveted title of UniSport National champions. Get out there and support the athletes across 31 sports.’’

One of the features of the 2023 Nationals will be the addition of Unity Day on Wednesday 27 September. Unity Day aims to increase the awareness of the importance of inclusion of all diverse groups within the university student population. The day prioritises uniting participants to foster an environment of acceptance and understanding.

Sinderberry highlights the importance of celebrating Unity Day this year. “UniSport Nationals is the perfect platform to unite our student-athletes and foster an environment of acceptance and understanding.”

“Sport is the vehicle that unites our student population, and I would encourage all participants to celebrate the diversity of our sector, where no one is excluded based on their background, beliefs, or interests” said Sinderberry.

More information on UniSport Nationals: https://www.unisport.com.au/nationals

About UniSport Nationals

• UniSport Nationals provide an opportunity for students at our 42 member universities from across Australia to compete head-to-head in the only national standard university sporting competitions.
• Nationals are comprised of our flagship event, UniSport Nationals, and several standalone national championships throughout the year.
• The winners from each sport in UniSport Nationals will be combined with the winners of the various Nationals Championships throughout the year to name one university the Overall Nationals Champions.
• Over 6000 students across 31 sports and 32 sporting venues will compete for their respective national title. The event will be supported by over 200 volunteers as well as local and state sporting organisations to deliver the individual competitions.
• The 2023 UniSport Nationals is supported by Major Events Cold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, and it features on the It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar.

About UniSport

UniSport Australia (UniSport) is the peak body for university sport in Australia. 42 universities are members of UniSport, representing a population of over one million students. UniSport’s ambition is to become an integral partner of Australian universities to deliver an outstanding student experience at our national intervarsity sports competitions. UniSport is also committed to advocate on the value of sport on student experience.

More information on UniSport: http://www.unisport.com.au/

For more information please contact:

Kylie Bloodworth

Marketing and Communications Manager

Mobile: 0449 949 916

Email: kylie.bloodworth@unisport.com.au

Available for Interview:

Mark Sinderberry

Chief Executive Officer