A team of more than 80 students from the University of Tasmania, competing across nine different sports, will travel to Canberra this week to compete in the 2024 UniSport Nationals. The event features more than 6,000 students from 42 member universities from around Australia.
University of Tasmania athletes will compete in nine sports: rowing, sailing, judo, futsal, beach volleyball, water polo, ultimate frisbee, netball and basketball.
The University of Tasmania Sport Operations Manager, Anthony Jusup, said the national games provided a terrific opportunity for students to bond through sport and to 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," Mr Jusup said.
The team includes reigning UniSport Nationals Sailing champions Sam King and Jorja Cooper, who recently represented Australia at the World University Sailing Championships in Italy. Additionally, the ultimate frisbee team has high hopes to build on their previous success, having secured a silver medal last year.
Fourth-year Bachelor of Health and Physical Education student Reuben Carlsson feels extremely privileged to be competing for his third year in a row with the University basketball team.
"It means a lot to me, to be able to play for the University of Tasmania," he said. "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."
Notably, the University of Tasmania will debut in mixed netball and women's water polo at this year's nationals.
Team captains include Caleb Nash, leading the basketball team in his third national competition, and Hannah Sheers, who brings experience from representing Australia at the World U24 Ultimate Frisbee Championships.
The UniSport Nationals will take place from September 7th to 13th.
