More than 80 students from the University of Tasmania (UTAS) have travelled to Canberra this week to compete in the 2024 UniSport Nationals.
This year’s competition has attracted 6,000 students from 42 member universities from across Australia.
University of Tasmania athletes will compete in nine sports, including basketball, beach volleyball, futsal, judo, water polo, ultimate frisbee, netball, rowing and sailing.
UTAS Sport Operations Manager, Anthony Jusup says the national games provided a great opportunity for students to bond through sport and test themselves at a highly competitive level.
“This is such an exciting time for sport at the University. We are proud to be sending such a highly motivated team of athletes, with our sights set high,” Jusup says.
High hopes for medal success
Reigning UniSport Nationals Sailing champions Jorja Cooper and Sam King are team members and recently represented Australia at the World University Sailing Championships in Italy. The ultimate frisbee team won a silver medal at last year’s games and have high hopes for adding to their medal tally.
Basketballer Reuben Carlsson is a furth-year Bachelor of Health and Physical Education student at UTAS and says he feels “extremely privileged” to be competing for his third year in a row.
“It means a lot to me, to be able to play for the University of Tasmania,” he says. “It’s the only uni in the state, so it means you’re not just representing your university, but your whole state.
“Sport is everything to me, I love every sport out there. So, to be able to study physical education and sport, which I’m passionate about, and play campus sport for the uni at the same time, it’s amazing.”
The UniSport Nationals run from 7-13 September.
