The 2026 Victorian International Student Sport Festival Connects Students Through Sport

The 2026 Victorian International Student Sport Festival (VISSF) returned to the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on 04 April, bringing together 356 international students from 34 countries, representing 11 universities across Australia. Now in its third year, the festival continues to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where international students can connect through sport, build friendships and strengthen their sense of belonging within the university community.

Organised by UniSport Australia (UniSport), VISSF offered international students the opportunity to participate in badminton, table tennis and 3×3 basketball, while forming meaningful social connections. The free event catered to a wide range of interests and abilities, encouraging participants to spend time together both on and off the courts.

VISSF participation reflected the diversity of Victoria’s international student community. Attending students represented 34 nations, with the strongest attendance from China (103 students), followed by India, Malaysia, Australia and Vietnam, as The University of Melbourne, Deakin University, RMIT University and Monash University recorded the highest participation numbers. This international representation created an environment that encouraged cultural exchange, strengthened connections across institutions, and fostered a genuine sense of belonging among participants.

For many students, this sense of belonging was more than just an outcome, but a personal experience. A first-year Deakin University student from China spoke about how sport can help ease the transition to life in a new country, saying, “When an international student comes to a new country, it can be easy to feel lonely. Sport and the teamwork involved in playing can help them feel as though they belong.”

Reflecting the multicultural spirit of the event, an Indonesian student from The University of Melbourne added, “Australia is home to so many people from diverse backgrounds, so VISSF is a great opportunity to have fun with other students from different cultures.”

Badminton was the most popular activity at VISSF, attracting the majority of participants through a series of relaxed, self-organised sessions that allowed students to rotate partners and connect with new people. For one Singaporean student from The University of Melbourne, the festival provided a valuable opportunity to meet others who shared his passion for the sport. He attended VISSF hoping to make friends within his university and connect with like-minded, supportive peers. “Playing badminton reminds me of home, as it’s something I used to do often in Singapore,” he said. “I’ve had fewer opportunities to play in Australia, so VISSF gave me the chance to return to the sport.”

Table tennis provided a similar social setting, while the 3×3 basketball tournament introduced a competitive element to the day. Twenty-five teams competed across men’s and women’s divisions, resulting in exciting and closely contested finals.

The success of the festival was also supported by 13 student volunteers from Deakin University, who assisted with roles including registration, scorekeeping, food service, videography and venue operations. Their contribution was instrumental in ensuring the smooth delivery of the event and demonstrated the collaborative spirit that underpinned the day.

VISSF was a well-rounded event for international students that combined accessible sport, quality offerings and a strong sense of community. Feedback from participants revealed that they valued the complimentary healthy food options, noting both the variety and quality, while offerings such as free badminton shuttles, available for everyone to use, enhanced the event experience for those who came.

More importantly, VISSF created a genuine platform for connection, with many students highlighting the opportunity to meet new people and engage with sport again, often after a long break. As one participant reflected, it was a “great event for international students to come together and build a community,” while others emphasised the enjoyment of returning to a sport they love and the positive atmosphere created through shared experiences.

Survey insights further reinforced the festival’s impact. An overwhelming 95% of respondents said they connected with someone they had not previously met and experienced improvements in their overall health and wellbeing. Alongside this, 79% of students reported feeling a stronger connection to their university as a result of participating, highlighting the important role that initiatives like VISSF play in supporting international student engagement and inclusion.

Participants also expressed strong appreciation for the event’s welcoming atmosphere, thoughtful inclusions and the opportunity to socialise. Many indicated a desire for more events of this kind, spotlighting the value of VISSF in fostering ongoing community building among international students.

As UniSport looks ahead, the continued success of the Victorian International Student Sport Festival highlights the importance of initiatives that support international student wellbeing and connection.

Building on successful events delivered in Western Australia and Victoria in 2026, UniSport is preparing to expand the International Student Sport Festival to New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, creating further opportunities for students across the country to connect through sport.

UniSport gratefully acknowledges the grant funding provided by the Australian Government for this event, administered by the Australian Sports Commission as part of the Play Well Affiliate Program.