Team UNE at Gold Coast UniSport Nationals 2025
UniSport Nationals 2025 took place from the 27th of September to the 3rd of October in the stunning backdrop of the Gold Coast.
This event brings together teams from 42 universities to compete against one another in 32 sports, making it Australia’s largest inter-university sporting event.
This year saw the largest squad from The University of New England make the trek to the Gold Coast. 83 of UNE’s student-athletes competed across eight sports- men’s and women’s futsal, men’s and women’s volleyball, mixed and women’s netball, women’s rugby 7s, rowing and golf.
UNE’s campaign at nationals kicked off with the opening ceremony on Sunday, September 28th. Our team captains, proudly sporting their UNE uniforms, represented the team at the ceremony on Kurrawa Beach.
The week was filled with intense competition, with many teams travelling between venues to support their UNE peers. With accommodation located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, students enjoyed hitting the beach and exploring the Gold Coast in their downtime.
Our students also took advantage of a UniSport Nationals first, UniFest. This free event, open to all Nationals competitors, was a standout moment of the week. With free food trucks, live music and the annual mascot race, students got to enjoy the opportunity to mingle amongst other universities.
Our team formed many lasting memories both on and off the court.
“Being able to talk to players from other universities and seeing how friendly they all are was really nice. We had newer players ask about techniques, and others asking for a post-game hit. That sort of interaction showed everyone’s love for volleyball and the friendly nature of the game.” – Andrew Lloyd, Men’s Volleyball
Notable Results:
Women’s Futsal: 6th in Division 1
Women’s Volleyball: 7th in Division 2
Women’s Rugby 7s: 5th in Division 1
Men’s Golf: 1st in Division 2- Zachary Irwin
A massive thank you goes out to all UNE staff and coaches who helped our teams succeed at the games. Their time spent planning and supporting UNE’s athletes contributed greatly
A large congratulations must go to our UNE student-athletes. With outstanding results and remarkable conduct, our university couldn’t be prouder of how the team performed.
Want to get involved? Whether you study with UNE online or on campus, you can represent the university at any UniSport Nationals event. From athletics and swimming to snow sports and cross-country, there are many additional UniSport events throughout the year.
For more information on how to represent UNE on the national sporting stage, email Caitlin Bryce at cbryce3@une.edu.
The stage is set for an exciting 2026 UniSport Nationals in Perth. If you’ve ever wanted to combine your love for sport with unforgettable friendships and travel, this is your chance. Get involved and make the most of your time at UNE.
