Team Wollotuka blitz Indigenous Nationals, including award for most promising talent
Indigenous Nationals 2023 have wrapped up with another stellar performance from the University of Newcastle’s Wollotuka team, finishing 4th out of 33 competing universities.
Team Wollotuka proudly display their medals following a hugely successful campaign at the 2023 Indigenous Nationals
The group, made up of inspiring Indigenous students across many disciplines, came just short of an overall podium position – but collected a list of accolades including multiple MVP trophies, a Spirit award (sportsmanship and spirit of the games) and a bp scholarship for most promising talent.
The 27th Indigenous Nationals was held from 26-30 June in Naarm, Melbourne and hosted by Monash University.
The event, which proudly began here at the University of Newcastle in 1996, is a week-long mixed competition for Indigenous student-athletes across four sports: touch football, basketball, netball, and volleyball.
Tough competition saw Wollotuka proudly finish in the top teams across each sport.
The side’s accomplishments were recognised both on the field and off. Wirdajuri/Gomeroi man and current psychological science student, Bailey Carney, was awarded one of only two $5,000 scholarships the most promising Indigenous student-athletes to support both their academic and athletic endeavours.
It is the second year the University of Newcastle have claimed one of the prestigious awards, after fellow competing student Quincy Ross’ win last year.
Most Valuable Player awards were given in each sporting category, with Wollotuka students Natarni James (Worimi) getting the nod for the netball competition and Jackson Eckford (Budawang) taking it out for touch football.
Dubbo/Wiradjuri woman and Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science student, Bindi Shaw, was recognised for embodying the spirit of the games in the touch football matches.
The University of Newcastle is incredibly proud of their efforts, according to the Wollotuka Institute’s Performance, Policy and Operations manager, Shane James.
“The group of students represented both their university and their communities to the highest standard,” Mr James said.
“To be recognised for their outstanding potential, their sportsmanship and also their overall performance is a testament to the excellence we continue to strive for,”
“I’m so proud that we made top 5 out of more than 30 universities across the country – and I can’t wait to see what we can do next year,” Mr James said.
National Indigenous Tertiary Education Student Games (NITESG) began in 1996 as a joint class project between 13 students enrolled in a Diploma of Aboriginal Studies (Community Recreation) at the then Wollotuka School for Aboriginal Studies, The University of Newcastle.
It has now grown into a major event on the University calendar.
Indigenous Nationals is an amazing environment to not only celebrate the rich sporting culture of Indigenous Australia but to also acknowledge the heritage and history of the participating student-athletes.
The team have another campaign to look forward to in 2024 after it was announced next year’s competition will be held at Wollongong on the New South Wales south coast, hosted by the University of Wollongong.
Contact
- Shahni Wellington
- Phone: 02 4921 7047
- Email: Shahni.Wellington@newcastle.edu.au
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