Snowboarder Joel Templar Shows UniSport Nationals Is For All Students
UniSport Nationals is a highlight of many students’ university experience. The main event, being held at the Gold Coast this year, hosts competitions across 32 different sports in an action-packed week.
But what you may not know is that there is more than just this one event throughout the year. From Nationals Athletics to 3 x 3 Basketball, there is a range of sporting events throughout the year organised by UniSport, meaning there’s something for every athlete.
These sporting events are open to all UNE students. Whether you study on campus or online, in your first year or your last, studying a diploma or a bachelor’s degree, you can represent UNE at any UniSport Nationals event.
We recently spoke to Joel Templar, a UNE student gearing up to compete in UniSport Nationals Snow from 31 August – 2 September in Thredbo. As a 45-year-old online student, Joel is proof that Nationals isn’t limited by age, study mode or how long you’ve been at UNE.
Keep reading to hear Joel’s story, from his first Nationals in 2001 to his return more than 20 years later.
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born on the outskirts of Melbourne to two school teachers. I am 45 years old, married with two teenage kids, who are also snow mad. We currently live in Melbourne.
What course are you studying at UNE, and what drew you to that?
I am currently studying a Grad Cert in Agriculture. Although I grew up on a small property just outside of Melbourne, we weren’t farmers. I developed an interest in farming when I was in my 20s, probably as part of my job as a town planner, and I have never really been able to satisfy that interest until recently. I have worked in regional areas and been on the periphery of the agricultural industry, but I still have never been involved directly in agriculture or worked and lived on a property.
I currently study online, and I love the drive from Melbourne to Armidale for the intensive schools, even though it’s a long way. I’m only a couple of units in, but I’m loving it.
How are you hoping your career will change when you finish?
One day, I hope to work in the industry and own my own farming property. I’m not exactly sure what that really looks like yet, but I love animals, especially my two kelpies.
You describe yourself as “obsessed” with snowboarding. How did this start, and what is your history with competing?
My dad was a PE teacher, and that is how he got me into skiing first when I was 5. I got him at a weak moment in 1995 when I was 15.
He let me try snowboarding for the first time, and I was hooked. I then started race training and competing at the age of 19.
I asked my parents to pay for an airfare to the USA for my 21st instead of a party, and I went and worked in a ski resort for the northern winter in 2001. The following northern winter, I lived in Austria and trained and raced, including with two-time Olympian Joanna Shaw. This was an unbelievable experience and really opened my eyes to how competitive snow sports are in Europe, and how they are a huge part of their way of life.
In 2001, I competed at the Uni Snow Nationals in Thredbo but only managed a fourth place in the snowboardcross, crashing out in other events. In 2002, I won the Men’s Overall at Uni Snow Nationals in Thredbo, winning the GS and Snowboardcross and coming 8th in the halfpipe. That year, I went back to the USA and worked in a ski resort and was selected on the Australian Winter Universiade Team for the Winter Universiade in Tarvisio, Italy in 2003.
In the Australian winter of 2003, I again competed at Uni Snow Nationals at Mt Hotham and won the Men’s Overall, tying with someone else, winning the GS and Snowboardcross again and coming 9th in the halfpipe.
At the tender age of 44 last year, I competed for the first time in nearly 20 years at the Victorian Intervarsity Championships at Mt Buller, winning the GS and Snowboardcross and coming second in the Super G.
I have travelled to some really cool places, snowboarding in the USA, Japan and Europe, and will be going back to the USA later this year for more!
What events are you entering in the upcoming UniSport Snow Nationals Event?
This year, I will be competing in the Super G, Giant Slalom and Snowboardcross events. At my age, I can no longer contort myself in the freestyle events!
Joel’s story showcases a lifelong passion for sport. Regardless of age or where you are in your academic journey, if you have a passion for sport and love to compete, UniSport Nationals is the experience for you.
If you’re interested in representing UNE at a UniSport event, express your interest here or contact Matt Pine via email at mpine@une.edu.au.
