UniSport Nationals

Want to compete against some of Australia's best student athletes? Charles Sturt University is a participating member of UniSport Australia, providing student with various opportunities to represent their university throughout the year.

UniSport Nationals is our flagship event where students can represent Team Charles Sturt across 20+ sports, against 40+ other educational institutions across the country over a week-long period in a set location within Australia. Think the Olympics for Australian Universities!

Whether you’re studying on campus or online, Uni Nationals are your chance to represent Team Charles Sturt against Australia’s best student-athletes.

Trial dates for 2024:

  • Port Macquarie: Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 April 2024
  • Bathurst: Monday 29 April - Wednesday 1 May 2024
  • Wagga Wagga: Tuesday 7 May 2024
  • Albury-Wodonga: Wednesday 8 May 2024
  • Studying online or in Dubbo or Orange? You are welcome to attend a trial at any of these campuses above.

This is a SSAF funded initiative

UniSport Australia 2024 Events Calendar

Expressions of interest are now closed for 2024

UniSport Nationals is Australia's largest annual sport's competition, attracting over 7000 University students each year across 41 universities.

Over 30 sports are on offer and Charles Sturt University Sport sends squads away each year to compete against the biggest and best from around the country.

Charles Sturt Uni Sport will send for specific sports based on the interest and commitment from Charles Sturt students. Regardless of which campus you are based at (or are studying online), all Charles Sturt students will compete under Charles Sturt University at UniSport Nationals.

Where: Canberra, ACT

When: 7-13 September, 2024

Sports:

  • AFL (M & W)
  • Badminton (M & W)
  • Basketball (M & W)
  • Beach Volleyball (M, W & X)
  • Cheer and Dance (X)
  • Cycling (M & W
  • Fencing (M & W)
  • Football (M & W)
  • Futsal (M & W)
  • Golf (M & W)
  • Hockey (M & W)
  • Judo (M & W)
  • Lawn Bowls (O)
  • Netball (W & X)
  • Oztag (X)
  • Rugby 7's (M & W)
  • Rugby League 9's (M)
  • Squash (M & W)
  • Table Tennis (M & W)
  • Tennis (M & W)
  • Taekwondo (M & W)
  • Touch Football (W, M & X)
  • Water Polo (M & W)

M = Men's, W = Women's, X = Mixed, O = Open

Indigenous Nationals is a week-long multi-sport competition for indigenous student-athletes. The annual event aims to bring together student-athletes from universities across Australia to compete in a variety of sports (netball, basketball, touch football and volleyball) and ultimately crown one university team the champion of the games.

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.

DATE: 23-27 June, 2024

LOCATION: University of Wollongong

Outside of the main UniSport Nationals event there are also multiple single sport events that provide further opportunities for athletes to represent their university in sports such as:

When: Various dates

Sports:

  • Triathlon, 9-10 March 2024, Mooloolaba Triathlon, Mooloolaba, QLD
  • Athletics, 24-26 April 2024, Gold Coast Performance Centre, Gold Coast, QLD
  • Swimming, 9-11 May 2024, NSW Swimming Championships, Sydney, NSW
  • 3x3 Basketball, 2-4 July 2024, University of Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast
  • T20 Cricket, 8-12 July, Maroochydoore Cricket Club, Sunshine Coast
  • Surfing, 10-12 July, Alexandra Headland Beach, Sunshine Coast
  • Snow Nationals, 2-6 September 2024, Mt Buller Ski Resort
  • Distance Running, 15 September 2024, Sydney Marathon, Sydney

Get involved

Ready to get out there and compete? Here's how.

Apply

Register your interest

If you want to participate in a Nationals event as a competitor, coach or manager, complete the application form.

Once your application's in, we'll send you more information about the event you're interested in, including details about selection trials.

Apply

Trials

Attend selection trials

Compulsory selection trials are held for selected team sports. They usually take place on Bathurst, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga campuses.

If you have a valid reason for not attending trials, your application may still be considered based on evidence provided on your playing experience.

Selection

Get ready for your event

If you're selected as an individual or part of a team, it's time to complete your registration on the UniSport Australia website. We'll send you an email with info on how to do that.

Answers to common questions

Certain sports have specific criteria – for example Swimming and Athletics. Competitors in these sports MUST be able to demonstrate recent attainment of minimum qualifying times/distances etc. This can generally be shown via online results at events such as State Championships or similar. If you are not able to demonstrate qualifying standards you will not be permitted to compete.

For team sports, selections will be made via trials. Individual sports are not required to trial. If Charles Sturt Uni Sport believes a team will not be competitive at a given event, it reserves the right to refuse entry for that team.

If you're unable to attend trials at the designated campuses (Port Mac, Bathurst, Wagga, Orange and Albury), we understand that circumstances vary. However, it's crucial to note that physical attendance at trials is preferred as it provides the best opportunity for us to assess your skills and performance.

For online students or those unable to physically attend, submitting playing footage is an available alternative. While we encourage all aspiring participants to explore this option, please be aware that being present at trials in person is highly recommended for a more comprehensive evaluation in the selection process.

In 2024, players will be required to purchase their playing uniforms, prices varying by sport. Unlike previous years where uniforms were provided and collected to minimise costs, you can now retain your purchased uniform for future Uni Nationals. This change reflects athlete feedback from our 2023 Uni Nationals event.

Students are responsible for organising their transportation to and from Nationals. This encompasses daily travel from your accommodation to your playing facilities. Please make the necessary arrangements to guarantee timely and efficient travel throughout the event.

Yes. It is the responsibility of each team or individual to arrange their own meals and snacks during the event. The accommodation for the Canberra event features self-contained apartments equipped with cooking facilities, offering the opportunity to prepare your own food. Additionally, consider coordinating team dinners as a cost-effective option.

Estimated costs for Uni Nationals, based on last year's figures, are as follows:

  • Accommodation: $250 for 5 nights
  • UniSport Registration: Ranges from $175 to $275, depending on the sport
  • Uniform: Ranges from $70 to $180, depending on the sport

Additionally, consider factoring in travel costs and food expenses for the week. Please note that these are estimates from the previous year, and we will provide updated cost details as soon as UniSport releases their 2024 registration fees. Stay tuned for the most accurate and current information.

Yes, members of our Elite Athlete Program who are competing at the state or national level in the current calendar year will have their UniSport registration costs waived.

Yes, we have an online store dedicated to our Uni Nationals athletes where you can purchase additional Charles Sturt Uni Sport apparel. Selected students will receive the link to the online shop in their information pack.