University of Newcastle Claims Third Straight Title as Indigenous Nationals Celebrates 30 Years 

The University of Newcastle has made Indigenous Nationals presented by bp (Indigenous Nationals) history, after securing a third consecutive overall championship on home soil as the nation’s premier Indigenous university sporting event celebrated its landmark 30th anniversary. 

More than 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and university staff from 30 universities gathered in Newcastle from 29 June to 03 July for four days of competition in basketball, netball, touch football and volleyball, alongside a week of cultural connection, community and celebration. 

Hosted in partnership with the University of Newcastle and The Wollotuka Institute, the event returned to where Indigenous Nationals began in 1996, marking 30 years of bringing Indigenous university students together through sport. 

The University of Newcastle’s consistent performances across the week saw the hosts finish on 141 points to secure the overall title, with The University of Sydney placing second on 125 points and Monash University third on 115 points. 

UON and Wollotuka student-athletes Jackson Eckford and Alkira Johnston reflected on what it means to the team to claim the Indigenous Nationals title for a third consecutive year. 

“It feels amazing to go back-to-back-to-back. We’ve worked really hard as a team, and we’ve come so far over the past three years. We’ve been pretty lucky to have a stable team, and it’s my favourite competition – I look forward to it every year,” said Alkira. 

Jackson said the historic three-peat was the result of a collective team effort, with every player contributing throughout the week. 

Beyond the competition, Alkira believes Indigenous Nationals is defined by the connections it creates. 

“What I love about this event is we’re able to compete so hard on the field, and then as soon as we step off it turns into mob chatting to mob and getting to mingle and meet other people. You make friends across the country.” 

Jackson shared a similar view, saying the friendships formed throughout the week are what make Indigenous Nationals so special. “I love getting to meet everyone through sport, culture and connection. Every year you get to meet new people,” he said 

For both student-athletes, the highlight of the week was celebrating the University of Newcastle’s historic third straight Indigenous Nationals title, alongside gold medal performances in basketball and netball. 

Medal Moments 

UON claimed the first title of the week in basketball, overcoming Monash University 17-15 in a thrilling rematch of the 2025 grand final. Monash University’s Patrick Natoli won MVP, and Jasmine Greenwood won the Sport Spirit Award.  

Newcastle then made it two from two, defeating Murdoch University 16-6 in the netball final to claim the Indigenous Nationals Netball Championship. The match also marked a milestone for Murdoch, who reached their first Indigenous Nationals grand final and secured their first silver medal. Isaac Grundy (The University of Tasmania) secured the MVP title, whilst Imogen Dobler (Murdoch University) and Christian Page (University of Wollongong) were awarded Sport Spirit Awards.  

The University of Sydney claimed the touch football title, earning redemption after falling short to Wollotuka in the 2025 decider. In another closely contested grand final between the two sides, USYD held on for a thrilling 5-4 victory to secure the championship in extra time. CJ Booth (The University of Sydney) was named MVP for the second year in a row, and Alkira Johnston (University of Newcastle) won the Sport Spirit Award. 

Monash University closed out the week by successfully defending its volleyball crown, defeating USYD with a two-set victory to claim back-to-back Indigenous Nationals titles. Jy Paulson (The University of Sydney) was honoured with the MVP title, and Tegan McGrath (University of Technology Sydney) won the Sport Spirit Award. 

Spirit of the Games Award 

The ‘Spirit of the Games’ award, nominated by fellow university teams, event staff and officials, was awarded to Murdoch University for embodying the spirit of Indigenous Nationals through their outstanding sportsmanship, enthusiasm and participation.  

Marking 30 Years of Indigenous Nationals 

Returning Indigenous Nationals to Newcastle for its 30th anniversary was a fitting tribute to the event’s origins, with the milestone providing an opportunity to celebrate both its rich history and the generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who continue to shape its future. 

Jessica DeBurr, Performance, Policy and Operations Manager at The Wollotuka Institute, said hosting the anniversary event was a proud moment for the university and the local community. 

“Wollotuka are thrilled to have hosted the 30^th anniversary of Indigenous Nationals. For us, while legacy is an important piece, it really is about each new generation of student-athletes coming through and continuing the legacy of the games for us, and for the teams showing up. What’s most important to us is that everyone is enjoying the experience and having a great time. 

We’ve had really positive feedback all throughout the week. Everyone’s been happy, having fun and playing sports, and that’s all we could ask for. It’s really special to bring so much mob together, especially circulated around sport.”  

UniSport Australia CEO Mark Sinderberry said the success of the 30th anniversary event reflected the enduring impact of Indigenous Nationals and the many people who continue to make it possible. 

“Indigenous Nationals continues to demonstrate the power of university sport to bring people together, create lifelong connections and celebrate culture. This week, more than 500 students and officials from 30 university teams came together to compete. 

I want to sincerely thank the University of Newcastle and The Wollotuka Institute for hosting this year’s event with such care and commitment. We are also incredibly grateful to bp for its longstanding support of Indigenous Nationals, along with all of our sponsors, partners, volunteers and officials whose contribution helps make this event possible each year. 

As we close another memorable Indigenous Nationals, we do so with enormous pride in what this event continues to achieve for First Nations students and the university sector. Thirty years ago, Indigenous Nationals began as a student project at the Wollotuka Institute. Today, it has grown into one of the most culturally significant university sporting events in Australia. We look forward to continuing to build on that remarkable legacy, ensuring Indigenous Nationals remains a place where culture, connection and opportunity continue to thrive for generations to come.” 

The 30th Indigenous Nationals organising committee respectfully acknowledges the Awabakal and Worimi peoples, the traditional owners of the land on which the event took place and pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. 

The host of the 31st Indigenous Nationals will be announced this week. 

Overall Results: 

1^st – University of Newcastle (141 points) 

2^nd – The University of Sydney (125 points) 

3^rd – Monash University (115 points) 

Full results from Indigenous Nationals are available here.