UniSport Australia welcomes Bill Shorten as Chair

UniSport Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor The Honourable Bill Shorten as Chair of the UniSport Australia Board.

Professor Shorten took up the role of Vice-Chancellor and President of University of Canberra in January 2025, following a distinguished career spanning advocacy, leadership, public service and national engagement.

His appointment comes at a significant time for the university sector, as institutions continue to navigate changing student expectations, wellbeing challenges and increasing focus on the broader role universities play within society and their communities.

UniSport Australia CEO Mark Sinderberry said Professor Shorten’s experience and perspective would help strengthen UniSport Australia’s advocacy role and support a growing national conversation around the value sport and physical activity bring to university communities.

“Bill understands universities as communities, not just places of learning,” Sinderberry said.

“He recognises the important role sport and physical activity can play in student wellbeing, belonging, connection and campus culture.”

“As our members increasingly look to UniSport to help advocate for the broader value university sport provides, Bill’s leadership and understanding of policy leadership will be incredibly valuable.”

Sinderberry said university sport also had an important role to play in enhancing the university social licence, helping institutions demonstrate their contribution to healthier, more connected and more engaged communities.

“Sport is often one of the most visible ways universities create community, support wellbeing and foster connection beyond the classroom,” he said.

Professor Shorten said that the time is right for UniSport Australia to shift gears and take a bold and ambitious approach to position university sport as a national asset.

 “University life is shaped by experience, and sport plays a pivotal role in removing barriers, building social connection, wellbeing and belonging, all of which contribute to a student’s success,” Professor Shorten said.

 “Australia has the athletes, campuses, audiences, and national sporting culture to support a high-end university sports competition that becomes a powerful platform for universities and a meaningful pathway for athletes to access higher education.

“A premium national university competition that is selective, televised, digitally scalable, and Olympic-aligned can fill the gap and establish a university sports brand with real prestige, pride, commercial value, and national relevance.

“At the same time, stronger advocacy and a clear understanding of the broader societal value of university sport will contribute to creating healthier, and more connected communities.

“Sport and sport entertainment is a truly global industry. Australian universities can contribute greatly here.

 “I look forward to working with CEO Mark Sinderberry and the UniSport Board to champion the role of university sport across Australia.”

UniSport Australia represents 40 member universities and works to advance sport, physical activity and healthy campus initiatives across the tertiary education sector.