UniSport Australia Marks Records and Outstanding Contributions to Sport in 2024 at Annual Sport Awards

UniSport Australia proudly honoured the recipients of the 2024 UniSport Awards during the National Conference in Adelaide last night. The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of student-athletes, volunteers, staff and institutions across the university sport sector, showcasing excellence, inclusion, and leadership in sport across Australian campuses.

“University sport is not just about competition, it’s about connection, community and creating pathways for students to thrive,” said UniSport Australia CEO, Mark Sinderberry. “The 2024 UniSport Awards honour those individuals and institutions making that possible, and doing so with passion, excellence, and integrity.”

Here are the 2024 UniSport Award recipients:

Team of the Year

Monash Cheer and Dance (MONCAD) – Monash University

This year MONCAD had the opportunity of representing Australia at the 2024 FISU World University Championships Cheerleading. This was a prestigious opportunity that the team secured through winning both the Cheer and Dance pennants at UniSport Nationals in 2023. 52 athletes travelled to Croatia to represent Australia finishing on top of the medal tally winning three gold medals – Team Jazz, Team Pom, Coed Elite, and two silver medals – Team Hip Hop, Pom Doubles.

Club Leadership Award

RMIT Surf Club – RMIT University

The RMIT Surf Club has flourished into one of the university’s most vibrant and engaged communities. With a focus on inclusion, safety and participation, the club grew significantly in 2024, while maintaining a strong commitment to volunteering and sustainability.

Most Outstanding Contribution by a Student Volunteer

Liam Tully – The University of Melbourne

(Bachelor of Commerce)
As the volunteer Athletics Team Manager at UniSport Nationals, Liam played a critical role in Melbourne’s success both on and off the field. He also contributed to the Sport Performance Advisory Group, offering insights into performance pathways for student-athletes, and is a committee member for the Athletics Club. His selfless leadership and reliability made him an indispensable figure in 2024.

James Henderson – RMIT University (Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Environment and Society)
As President of the RMIT Surf Club, James was instrumental in coordinating large-scale club activities, delivering trips, training programs and surf education with a safety-first mindset. His dedication has revitalised the club and left a lasting legacy of environmental consciousness and

camaraderie.

Most Outstanding Sporting Achievement by a Student-Athlete

Jemima Montag – The University of Melbourne (Master of Public Health and Doctor of Medicine)
Jemima continued her dominance in athletics, breaking Oceania and Australian records in the 35km race walk. She was named the 2024 Oceania Female Athlete of the Year and claimed gold at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships. Her leadership and advocacy off the track, including support for inclusive and clean sport, made her a role model for university athletes nationwide.

Most Outstanding Performance by a Student-Athlete with a Disability

Emily Beecroft – University of the Sunshine Coast (Bachelor of Communications (Social Media))
A Paralympian and world-class swimmer, Emily qualified for Paris 2024 and earned multiple medals at international competitions, including the Para Swimming World Series. As a Sport Engagement Coordinator at UniSC, she balances elite sport and campus leadership — inspiring students with and without disabilities to get involved in university life.

Most Outstanding Performance by an Indigenous Student-Athlete

Anna Solomon – Federation University Australia (Bachelor of Social Work)
Anna represented Victoria’s first-ever First Nations netball team at the National Indigenous Championships and played a leading role in Fed Uni’s UniSport Nationals team. Her impact extended across campuses, helping foster cultural pride and inclusivity in sport through her leadership, performance, and mentorship.

Charlie Pade – The University of Sydney

(Bachelor of Project Management)
A proud Indigenous athlete, Charlie is an active contributor to USYD sport programs, helping build a supportive and high-performing sporting environment on campus. His victories in both singles and mixed doubles were instrumental in securing USYD’s win as the inaugural champions of the UniSport Australia University Tennis League

Most Outstanding University Sport Project/Program

UWA Sport – LGBTQIA+ Allyship in Sport Program – The University of Western Australia

Led by UWA Sport, this innovative program delivered extensive education and allyship workshops across the student body and staff, promoting safer and more inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ students. The initiative has not only raised awareness but

directly influenced policies and practices across

the university’s sporting ecosystem.

Student-Athlete of the year (male)

Roman Anastasios – The University of Melbourne (Bachelor of Fine Arts)

Roman dominated the High Jump at UniSport Nationals Athletics where he won the gold medal with a clearance of 2.23m, which was a whopping 11cm clear of 2nd place. This result had Roman placed as 3rd best Australian high jumper at the time, only behind two Olympians. This was Roman’s second Nationals High Jump gold medal in a row.

Student-Athlete of the year (female)

Camryn Newton-Smith – University of Southern Queensland (Master of Learning and Teaching (Primary))

2024 was a year of incredible achievement for Camryn, who set the Australian University Heptathlon record, won the Nationals title for the Heptathlon and 100m Hurdles, as well as being crowned the Australian National Champion and Oceania Champion for the Heptathlon. Her incredible performances led to her representing Australia at Olympic Games.

Official of the Year

Amelia Smith – The University of Melbourne

Amelia has exemplified consistency, fairness and leadership in her role as a match official across multiple UniSport events. Her professionalism and support for athlete wellbeing have made her a respected and trusted figure among student-athletes and staff alike.

UniSport Australia Overall Champion University Awards

The results for the UniSport Australia Overall Champion University (across the whole year) were calculated by combining results from Nationals Canberra and standalone Nationals events.

Overall National Champion University

The University of Sydney (USYD) claimed the title of Australia’s top sporting university for 2024, winning key competitions and fielding dominant teams across a range of sports, affirming its reputation for excellence and depth in university sport.

Doug Ellis Overall Per Capita Champion University

Bond University Despite a smaller student population, Bond University again demonstrated excellence across multiple sports, securing the top spot per capita through their elite athlete program and comprehensive team support.

John White Spirit Champion University

Australian National University (ANU) Competing on home turf at UniSport Nationals in Canberra, ANU was awarded the National Spirit Champion award for 2024. The award celebrates the university that best exemplifies sportsmanship, inclusivity, and team spirit across the Nationals week. ANU’s students stood out for their passion and perseverance on the field, but also for their support of fellow competitors, positive energy, and embodiment of what it means to compete with pride and respect.

Congratulations to all the award recipients.

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