What are the UniSport Nationals?
UniSport Nationals provides the opportunity for students at our 43 member universities from across Australia to compete head to head in a number of national standard sporting competitions.
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The Nationals are comprised of our flagship event, UniSport Nationals Div 1 and Div 2, and a number of standalone competitions throughout the year, including Nationals Snow, T20 cricket, 3x3 basketball, triathlon, and others.
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The UniSport Nationals Div 1 and 2 event will see more than 6,000 student-athletes head to Perth in 2020 to compete in 30 different sports.
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Has your uni got what it takes to become the champions?
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UniSport Nationals
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The UniSport Nationals consist of a combination of Nationals Div 1 and Div 2 events and other standalone events held either at partner locations or competitions across Australia or hosted by member universities throughout the year.
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Our standalone events are reviewed yearly and for 2020 the events are:
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Nationals Cross Country
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Nationals Distance Running
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Nationals Surfing (TBC)
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Held annually in September, Nationals Div 1 presented by UniBank consists of 29 different sport competitions contested across men's, women's, mixed and open categories.
Only the top teams from our previous event rankings can qualify for each of the competitions, meaning that rivalry between teams is fierce to claim the National Champion titles.
The lower placing teams in each sport of the Div 1 competition risk relegation into Nationals Div 2 the following year.
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In 2019, Nationals Div 1 presented by UniBank will be held on the Gold Coast from 28 September to 3 October.
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In 2019, the following sports are in Nationals Div 1:
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Australian Rules Football
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Badminton
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Baseball
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Basketball
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Beach Volleyball
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Cheer & Dance
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Cycling
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Fencing
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Football
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Futsal
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Golf
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Handball
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Hockey
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Judo
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Kendo
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Lawn Bowls
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Overall sport schedule (as of 27 September)
* includes technical meeting times
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Netball
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Rowing
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Rugby 7s
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Sailing
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Softball
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Squash
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Table Tennis
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Tennis
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Tenpin Bowling
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Touch Football
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Ultimate
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Volleyball
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Water Polo
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Held annually in July, Nationals Div 2 presented by UniBank consists of 13 different sport competitions contested across men's, women's, mixed and open categories and is an 'open entry' event. This means that any of the 43 member universities can enter teams into the competitions if they have not already qualified for Div 1 in that sport.
The top two ranked teams in each sport of the Div 2 competition (who have not already qualified for Div 1) will gain promotion into Nationals Div 1 the same year.
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In 2019, Nationals Div 2 presented by UniBank will be held on the Gold Coast from 8-11 July.
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In 2019, the following sports are in Nationals Div 2:
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Badminton
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Basketball
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Football
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Futsal
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Hockey
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Lacrosse 5s*
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Netball
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Tennis
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Touch Football
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Ultimate
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Volleyball
*New sports in 2019
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Overall sport schedule (as of 24 June 2019)
Message from the Minister for Tourism Industry Development
The Hon Kate Jones MP
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Welcome to the Gold Coast for the 2019 UniSport Nationals.
The UniSport Nationals provides a great opportunity for students from 43 different universities across Australia to compete head-to-head in a range of sporting disciplines. This year will see thousands of students travel to the Gold Coast to enjoy this unique tournament.
The Gold Coast has a reputation as a world-class events destination, with state-of-the-art facilities set against a backdrop of pristine beaches and an untouched hinterland.
The Queensland Government is proud to support this event, as part of Tourism and Events Queensland’s It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar, which will contribute $800 million to the state’s economy this year.
Congratulations to UniSport Australia on staging yet another successful event and best of luck to all the competitors.
To those visiting the region, I encourage you to make the most of your stay, get out and explore everything the Gold Coast has to offer.
The Hon Kate Jones MP
Minister for Tourism Industry Development
Message from the Mayor
Tom Tate
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Let me offer a very warm welcome to all the athletes, officials and fans attending Gold Coast for this year’s UniSport Nationals.
Given that we have 300+ days of sunshine here, our winters do tend to be way better than many other parts of Australia. You may find a few cool days but they help make competing a little easier so there could be some great performances turned in.
With four university-age children of my own I really admire the grit and determination displayed by so many to combine tough academic schedules with adherence to gruelling training regimes. It’s a big ask but you people demonstrate the great adage perfectly: if you want something done well and quickly ask a really busy person.
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I also admire the commitment to sport. It is one of our great national characteristics and has helped build our global reputation for what I like to call that have-a-go spirit. It is part of what makes Gold Coast the exciting city it is.
We love to put on a show and sport offers us great opportunities to showcase outstanding skills and athleticism. As the Commonwealth Games last year demonstrated we are a sporting events destination of global standing.
For 12 years now we have played host to UniSport events and we love having you here. It is a pleasure to welcome 10,000 or more friendly faces and I hope you all find time to explore Gold Coast.
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When I became Mayor seven years ago I vowed to make this an Education City and that has been a great success. We have three wonderful university campuses here and we are now home to nearly 33,000 international students and that number is growing at 15% a year.
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We also have 170,000 domestic students and our share of the Queensland international student market is now 21%. So you should find plenty of academically and sport-minded young people around the traps. Ask them to show you a good time and I'm sure you will be able to take home memories to last you a lifetime.
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There are many reasons why Gold Coast is known as Australia's holiday playground so please do sample some of what we have to offer. I'm sure you'll like it!
Tom Tate
Mayor
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