International Students Shine at Victorian International Student Sports Festival 

A celebration of culture, community and sport came to life at this year’s Victorian International Student Sports Festival (VISSF), hosted at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre last Saturday. The festival, now in its second year, brought together 470 international students from 26 countries and 12 universities for a dynamic day of badminton, basketball and table tennis.

Organised by UniSport Australia in partnership with Perfect Ballers Association (PBA), the event created a welcoming space for students to connect, compete and celebrate their diverse backgrounds through sport. The day ran from 9am to 5pm and was completely free for international students, including complimentary food throughout the event.

The spirit of VISSF wasn’t just in the games, it was in the friendships formed, the laughter shared, and the sense of belonging and community through sport that resonated deeply for many students, some of whom had only just arrived in Australia.

With strong volunteer support from the Deakin International Students Club, the event was smooth, energetic and student-led at heart, much of that thanks to the PBA, who brought their experience from Melbourne’s multicultural basketball scene to the festival setup.

By the Numbers

• 470 international students participated
• Students from 26 different nationalities
• Representing 12 member universities
• Top universities: Melbourne (191), Monash (65), Deakin (59), RMIT (40)
• Top nationalities: China (244), Vietnam (33), Malaysia (27), India (20)

Badminton proved to be the most popular event, with 221 attendees enjoying relaxed, self-organised sessions across four two-hour blocks. Each participant signed up for one session due to high demand and enjoyed fun competition with fellow students.

Table Tennis saw 30 students take part in casual, drop-in style matches, where players could enjoy extended game time and social interaction in a laid-back setting.

In the competitive arena, 3×3 Basketball brought serious energy:

• 45 male teams and 5 female teams took to the court
• Male teams were split into 16 pools of three, leading to a 48-team elimination bracket
• The Melbourne Basketball Bears took home the men’s title, defeating Crazy Ziyou in the grand final
• The women’s division saw Team Hahahaha claim the top spot over the Airballers

Winners received trophies and medals in a closing presentation that capped off a day of diversity, passion and play.

The VISSF isn’t just about sport, it’s about storytelling, connection, and inclusion. It’s about international students seeing themselves reflected in the wider Australian community and feeling supported in this chapter of their lives.

“We know the challenges that international students face when they arrive from another country, the cultural adjustment, language barriers, financial pressures, mental health strains and loneliness that comes from having limited support networks,” Shane Cantelmi, GM of Member Services at UniSport said, “sport offers a fantastic avenue for international students to overcome these hurdles, helping them to build community and connection, boosting their mental health, enhancing their language skills while strengthening their confidence and resilience.”

“As a free event, the VISSF removed the cost barrier for international students, providing greater opportunity to be involved and enjoy all the benefits that sport so richly offers,” Cantelmi added.

Last year’s pilot edition, held in September 2024, attracted over 150 students. This year, participation tripled, once again proving the powerful role events like these play in helping students feel seen, welcomed and empowered.

As messages of thanks continue to pour in, UniSport Australia and PBA are already looking ahead to what’s next.