Our Student Athletes

Championing Inclusion: Adaptive Athletes in University Sport

At UniSport Australia, we believe university sport should be accessible, inclusive, and empowering for every student, regardless of ability. We are committed to breaking down barriers and creating meaningful opportunities for adaptive athletes to participate, compete, and thrive within the university sporting community.

Through collaboration with our member universities, athletes, and partners, we are working to ensure that students with disabilities are not only welcomed, but actively supported to engage in sport at all levels, from social competitions to elite representation. By embedding inclusive practices across events, facilities, and programs, we’re building a culture that celebrates diversity and reflects the strength of the broader university community. Adaptive athletes are not just participants, they are leaders, role models, and changemakers within our sporting landscape.

Meet Summer Giddings

Summer Giddings, Macquarie University

Summer Giddings is a 3rd year student at Macquarie University (MQU) completing a Bachelor of Information Technology, majoring in cyber security.

As a para-athlete, Summer has relished the opportunity to compete in athletics and represent her university at the UniSport Nationals multi-sport event.

Summer competes in athletics, focusing on the 100m and long jump, with the 200m in her sights for the future.

“This was my 3rd time at UniSport Nationals,” Summer said after competing in the 2024 event, “it is a fantastic competition at the end of the athletics season and a great way to have some fun as well.”

In 2024, MQU took one their largest teams ever to Nationals, an exciting commitment to sport from the university.

Summer commended UniSport Australia on their development of a university athletics program that created an inclusive environment for para-athletes, “I think it’s great UniSport recognises para-athletes, and that they are really trying to create a better, more inclusive experience.”

When asked what it means to represent the university as a para-athlete, Summer says she it is not any different to an able body athlete, “it makes me proud to represent my university as part of the Nationals team and I stay focused on always putting in my best performance.”

Summer has recently returned from the Oceania Athletics Championships in Fiji, where she won gold in the Women’s Para Long Jump and is now training and building up to the upcoming athletics season.

When asked for advice to give younger student para-athletes who are considering competing at the UniSport athletics events in the future, Summer said, “just have a go. It’s really fun!”

Summer has been part of the Macquarie University Sport Scholar program since 2022 providing both academic and financial assistance, helping Summer to compete at this elite level. Macquarie University has supported Summer to compete and proudly represent the University helping to make the connections to the relevant sporting opportunities provided by UniSport.

For further information on competing for your university at UniSport events, please contact your key university contact.