June 27, 2018

Indigenous students take part in annual sporting competition

Week-long event a celebration of Indigenous culture, heritage

This week, 15 students from the University of Wollongong (UOW) have been putting their sporting skills to the test in the annual Indigenous Nationals.

Fifteen students are competing in the mixed competition, which runs from June 24 to June 28, at Walanga Muru at Macquarie University, and sees the participants play netball, touch football, volleyball, and basketball.

The Indigenous Nationals, which have been running since 1996, is a week-long multisport competition for Indigenous student-athletes.

Students play a different sport each day, with the winning university crowned the champions.

UOW student Shiralee Hartnett, who is part of the UOW team at the Indigenous Nationals, said it was a great opportunity to have some fun while drawing attention to Indigenous culture and heritage.

“We are excited to compete in the 2018 Indigenous Nationals. This significant event provides an enriching experience that strengthens our culture and connections with our brothers and sisters from all across the country,” Shiralee said.

“As a modernised gathering ceremony, the games provide a unique platform where students’ health, social and emotional wellbeing is strengthened. It’s a fantastic opportunity to not only represent UOW but our families and local communities whilst building camaraderie and mutual respect.

The event began in 1996, when it was known as the National Indigenous Tertiary Education Students Games, as a class project between 13 students enrolled in a Diploma of Aboriginal Studies at the University of Newcastle.

Now referred to as the Indigenous Nationals, it puts students’ abilities to the test while also celebrate the sporting culture of Indigenous Australia and acknowledging the heritage and history of the students involved.