Uni backs the future of student sport and active recreation clubs

Wednesday, 2 June 2021

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The University of Newcastle has cemented its commitment to renewed student, campus, and community amenities this week, with the confirmation of NUsport becoming a controlled entity of the University from 2021.

NUsport CEO Deborah Wright and Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky

The change will mean that many students, student sport clubs and staff of the University who rely on these facilities will have access to additional funding sources from the University to improve grounds, equipment, and competitions over the next ten years.

NUsport Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Deborah Wright welcomed the decision, which was reached at the NUsport annual general meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 25 May in a resounding vote of support.

“NUsport does a fantastic job of enabling student and community participation in sport and activity across our campus facilities, however we recognise that we cannot meet the needs of our members on our own when funding sources and access to capital grants are so limited,” Mrs Wright said.

“The University of Newcastle has always been there to help us out in our relationship with them as a separate, independent business. Our members saw this with the University’s commitment to upgrade the Aquatic Centre at Callaghan.

“I would say that the overwhelming support for the proposal to bring the NUsport entity into the University family shows that we all value a collective approach to NUsport’s future,” she said.

Chair of the NUsport Board of Directors, Gabriella Sainsbury outlined the decision was one that would enable NUsport to continue to deliver on its key purpose and objectives.

“University sport has a rich history at the University of Newcastle. NUsport been instrumental in delivering student engagement opportunities, improved health and wellbeing outcomes and social and personal development of participants through meaningful support, programs and facilities provided.

“The change in governance model as supported by our members, will ensure that NUsport can continue to deliver premier facilities and programs to our university and broader community.

“Our university students, sporting clubs, staff and stakeholders will continue to have opportunity to guide and input into the direction of university sport at the University of Newcastle and contribute to the direction of resources and investments into our facilities.

University of Newcastle Vice Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky congratulated the NUsport board and membership for its vision into the next phase of development of NUsport.

“The NUsport team and the University will be working together to map out a ten-year renewal and capital investment strategy that will develop more premier programs, facilities and services to students, staff and the broader University communities,” he said.

“I’m keen to work with all stakeholders to carry out sustainable upgrades to facilities that add enormous value to our communities and to our students’ time at Uni,” Professor Zelinsky said.

“We know activity and socialising in a club environment greatly enhances a student’s time at University”.

Professor Zelinsky said that by entering into this arrangement with NUsport, the University is fulfilling one of its central commitments to providing services that support staff and student wellbeing.

“Our agreement will ensure plans are put in place that further enrich our campuses and make them even more appealing as places to come, get active and connect with like-minded people,” he said.

The University’s most recent major NUsport investment, committed ahead of the plans to take on NUsport as a controlled entity, was the $7.8million upgrade to the Aquatic Centre at the Forum at Callaghan. The pool will be opened to students, staff and the community from June 7, 2021.

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