JCU at Indigenous Nationals
UniSport caught up with James Cook University (JCU) after their recent …
National Indigenous Tertiary Education Student Games (NITESG) began in 1996 as a joint class project between 13 students enrolled in a Diploma of Aboriginal Studies (Community Recreation) at the then Wollotuka School for Aboriginal Studies, The University of Newcastle.
Now referred to as Indigenous Nationals, the event is a week-long multi-sport competition for Indigenous student-athletes. The annual event aims to bring together student-athletes from universities across Australia to compete in a variety of sports and ultimately crown one university team the champion of the games. Indigenous Nationals is an amazing environment to not only celebrate the rich sporting culture of Indigenous Australia but to also acknowledge the heritage and history of the participating student-athletes.
In 2026, the 30th Indigenous Nationals will be held from 29 June to 3 July at the University of Newcastle in Newcastle, NSW. The event will contested in a mixed competition across four sports: touch football, basketball, netball, and volleyball.
UniSport Australia respectfully acknowledges the Awabakal and Worimi Peoples; the traditional owners of the land on which the 2026 Indigenous Nationals will take place.
Day 1 of this year’s Indigenous Nationals presented by bp Australia, tips off with Basketball ⏪ Here’s a little rewind to Basketball in 2025 🏀
Registrations for the 30th Anniversary of Indigenous Nationals hosted by @thewollotukainstitute are now OPEN 👉 Head to the link in bio to register.
#UniSportNationals | #IndigenousNationals
based on a true story 👉 register for Indigenous Nationals at the link in bio 🔗
#IndigenousNationals
Our reaction when we hear you’ve registered for Indigenous Nationals presented by bp Australia 🤩
Chat to your university about competing and head to the link in bio to register🔗
🚨Late regos close Monday 22 June, 11:59pm AEST
#IndigenousNationals
STANDARD REGOS CLOSE SUNDAY ⏰
There’s still time to be part of the 2026 Indigenous Nationals presented by @bp.australia 🏆🖤💛❤️
Celebrating 30 years of culture, connection and competition, Indigenous Nationals returns to where it all began at @thewollotukainstitute on Awabakal & Worimi Country.
Join Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from universities across Australia for one unforgettable week of sport, community and culture.
📅 29 June-3 July
📍The University of Newcastle, NSW
⏰ Standard registrations close Sunday 24 May, 11:59pm AEST
Chat to your university sport department to get your team registration code, then register via the link in bio 🔗
#IndigenousNationals | @bp_plc
@adelaideunisportfitness @anu.sport @tjabal.centre @bond_sport @curtinsports @deakindragons @ecu.sports @fedunisport @flindersunisportfitness @griffithsport @jcusportofficial @jcu_isa @macquarieunisport @mq_isa @walanga_muru_mq @melbunisport @monash_sport @murdochactive
@qutsport @qut_indigiso @rmitactive @scuunilife @swinburnelife @uc.sport @uniscsportandfitness @arcsportunsw @sydunisport @gadigalcentre_usyd @utssport @uqsport @goorieberrimpa @atsisuq @uwasport @uwa_sis @uow_woolyungah @uowuniactive @utassport @latrobesport @ndiss.au @vusport @nusport.theforum @nusport.sport
We’re pleased to welcome back @commbank as the Official Banking Partner of the 2026 UniSport Indigenous Nationals, continuing their support for the event for a third year.
Indigenous Nationals has never just been about the games themselves. It’s about connection, culture and First Nations students coming together from across the country to represent where they come from and build relationships that last well beyond the week.
Our work together is focused on people and community; helping to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through financial empowerment initiatives including First Nations Foundation, our career development pathways and event readiness opportunities.
We’re looking forward to working alongside CommBank, @thewollotukainstitute and our communities as we continue building towards the 30th edition of Indigenous Nationals, 29 June-3 July 2026.
🚨APPLICATIONS CLOSING MONDAY 11 MAY
At last year’s Indigenous Nationals, we spoke to 2025 bp Australia scholarship recipients Lachie Munns (UQ) and Taleah Ugle (UWA) just moments after receiving their scholarships to hear how they hoped the opportunity would support their futures.
A year on, their predictions were right! The scholarship has helped both students pursue further education in their respective fields, while the financial support has opened the door to more opportunities to give back to and support their communities.
If you think the scholarship could benefit you and your community, apply now via the link in bio 🔗
What’s on offer:
💰 $5,000 scholarship
🤝 Mentoring opportunities
📈 Career pathways through bp Australia
Applications close Monday 11 May 2026
Find out more and apply now via the link in bio 🔗
#IndigenousNationals | @thewollotukainstitute @bp_plc @bp.australia
*Gumbaynggirr
ALL IN 😤 If there`s one thing you do this long weekend, make sure it`s registering for the 2026 Indigenous Nationals presented by bp Australia and hosted at @thewollotukainstitute 👉 Link in bio to register!
#IndigenousNationals
Want to know what Indigenous Nationals is really like?
@uwasport’s very own Ian Brady hit the volleyball courts last year to find out who had the best kit, students’ go-to hype songs, and what their experience at the 2025 Indigenous Nationals was like 🫶
Registrations are OPEN for the 30th Anniversary edition of Indigenous Nationals presnted by bp Australia, and hosted at @thewollotukainstitute and @uni_newcastle 👉 Head to the link in bio to register.
#IndigenousNationals | @nusport.theforum @nusport.sport
From teaching and research to management and medicine, past bp Australia Indigenous Nationals Scholarship recipients are making moves on and off the field.
Swipe through to hear from bp Australia scholarship recipients, Quincy Ross (UON), Rebeka Morrison (UWA), Jackson Eckford (UON), Taleah Ugle (UWA), and Lachlan Munns (UQ). Just some of the Indigenous student-athletes turning opportunity into impact.
In 2026, two more recipients will be awarded at the 30th anniversary of Indigenous Nationals (29 June – 03 July) at the Wollotuka Institute, University of Newcastle.
What’s on offer:
💡 $5,000 + mentoring + career pathways
🔥 Built for Indigenous student-athletes ready to take the next step
Applications are open until Monday 11 May 2026
Find out more and apply now via the link in bio 🔗
#IndigenousNationals | @thewollotukainstitute @uni_newcastle @uwasport @uwa_sis @goorieberrimpa @uqsport
High-five if you’re registered for Indigenous Nationals ✋
Not yet? Time to change that. Join us at @uni_newcastle and @thewollotukainstitute for the 30th Anniversary edition of Indigenous Nationals presented by bp Australia.
Chat to your uni about representing, then lock in your spot via the link in bio.
🚨 Registrations increase from Monday 25 May 2026. Don’t miss out.
#IndigenousNationals | @nusport.sport
| Document Name | Category | File Type | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| View | |||
Code of ConductA Code of Conduct template by Sport Australia for your club |
Club Toolkits, Member Templates |
DOCX 63.57 KB |
Download View |
Code of behaviourCode of behaviour policy |
Nationals Event Policies & Guidelines |
PDF 159.75 KB |
Download View |
Participant agreement – Indigenous NationalsIndigenous Nationals participant agreement policy |
Nationals Event Policies & Guidelines |
PDF 182.02 KB |
Download View |
| View |
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