Unisport Nationals1 is the flagship event in a yearly national championship. Whether you’re studying on campus or online, Uni Nationals are your chance to represent Team Charles Sturt against Australia’s best student-athletes.
It’s like the Olympics but for Australian unis!
Playing sports at uni is a great way to stay active and make new friends. Each campus has their own social sporting clubs and teams. They are great for connecting with peers on campus and in your community.
We spoke with a past student to get you the inside scoop from Uni Nationals. We also explore how Uni Nationals could give you an opportunity to put your degree into action!
Uni Nationals: explained
Uni Nationals is a six-day event organised by Unisport. 42 member universities participate in a range of different sports competing for national championship. You can represent Charles Sturt in over 30 sports in mens, womens, mixed and open competitions.
Uni Nationals are held in different locations each year. It has previously been hosted in Perth, Gold Coast and Canberra, to name a few. You might call it a holiday!
Outside of this week-long competition, there are standalone Unisport National single sport events where you can represent Charles Sturt. So, if you’re into individual sports there’s still opportunity to play for
The winners from each sport at Uni Nationals are combined with the winners of the various Nationals Championships throughout the year to name one university as the Overall Nationals Champions.
How you can get there
All Charles Sturt students are eligible to attend Uni Nationals. No matter if you study online or on-campus, full-time or part-time, you can represent Charles Sturt in your favourite sport!
Students who wish to participate are strongly encouraged to attend trials which are set on a designated campus (Port Mac, Bathurst, Wagga, Orange and Albury-Wodonga). But don’t worry, there are alternatives if you can’t make on campus!
If you live too far away from campus you can submit video footage of yourself, although it is crucial to note that physical attendance at trials is preferred.
If you are a part of the Elite Athlete and Performer Program you could be eligible for subsidies. This program is made for elite and pre-elite athletes to help manage sporting commitments and study. If you think you might be eligible, you can apply for this program and access many of the benefits including travel grants, online study options and academic support.
What sports are involved in Uni Nationals
There are 30 different sports played over the week-long championship. Each sport offers a different range of mens, womens, opens and mixed competitions.
| AFL 9s (X) | Badminton (M & W) | Basketball (M & W) |
| Beach volleyball (M, W & X) | Cycling (M & W) | Dodgeball (X) |
| Fencing (M & W) | Football (M & W) | Futsal (M & W) |
| Golf (M & W) | Hockey (M & W) | Judo (M & W) |
| Kendo (M & W) | Lacrosse 5’s (X) | Lawn bowls (O) |
| Netball (W & X) | Oztag (X) | Rowing (M & W) |
| Rugby 7’s (M & W) | Rugby league 9’s (M) | Sailing (O) |
| Squash (M & W) | Table tennis (M & W) | Tennis (M & W) |
| Tenpin bowling (O) | Taekwondo (M & W) | Touch football (W, M & X) |
| Ultimate frisbee (X) | Volleyball (M & W) | Water polo (M & W) |
M = Men’s, W = Women’s, X = Mixed, O = Open
Hear from a past player
Keely Bullivant is a past online communications student who attended two Uni Nationals in the women’s netball competition. She sat down with us to tell us all about it, why it was her best uni experience and why you need to go too!
Keely participated in the women’s netball at both the 2024 and 2025 competitions. She recalls the competition being some of the best netball she has played.
“Every team was filled with strong athletes, many who had played at really high representative levels, so every game was fast, physical and competitive. It pushed me as a player and made the whole experience even more exciting.”
Being an online student meant Keely did not attend trials on campus for her first year on the team.
“In my first year, I completed what was basically a sporting resume where I listed my netball experience, achievements, positions and skill level. From there, I was selected into a team made up of girls from different campuses across Australia.”
In her second year, Keely was lucky enough to be able to attend trials at our Albury-Wodonga campus. She remembers the process being a little daunting as an online student, but that she felt included and supported throughout the whole process.
If you are an online student and think you need to know someone before signing up, Keely says you don’t!
“Everyone was really welcoming and friendly, and it didn’t take long before we all became close. Looking back now, it’s actually really cool that we all came together from completely different places and formed such strong friendships so quickly.”
One of Keely’s key takeaways from the whole event was the friendships she made, and the time she got to spend creating new relationships.
“I genuinely made lifelong friends at Uni Nationals, which is something I’ll always cherish. I loved the feeling of being part of a team again and competing every day in such a fun but high-level environment.”
“Uni Nationals is such a unique opportunity and genuinely feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You meet amazing people and create memories you’ll never forget. Even just trialling is worth it because you never know where it could lead.”
If you need any more convincing, Keely has some advice for you.
“You won’t regret putting yourself out there. It can feel scary or outside your comfort zone at first, especially if you don’t know anyone, but everyone is there because they love sport and competition just like you do.”
How to use your studies at Nationals
If you’re wondering how this could fit into your studying and where you could gain hands-on experience, we’ve got you! Uni Nationals is competing and representing your uni, but it can also be a great opportunity to get real-world experience in your chosen field.
Charles Sturt often sends a student social media officer with our teams to help capture content and document our student athletes’ experience and success. This is a perfect experience for students in communications or marketing major, and great to add to your portfolio.
Students in our Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science can attend Uni Nationals as an official or team coach. Coaching a team at a national event such as Uni Nationals is a great way to put your practical skills to work. It also looks great on your resume!
Uni Nationals are a great place for physiotherapy students to gain experience in supporting athlete recovery and treatment. This could look like assisting in warm-up and recovery, preventative taping or helping teammates with stretching and mobility.
Uni Nationals can be a great place to put your knowledge into practice, but it is not a requirement to attend. Any student enrolled at Charles Sturt is eligible to trial for a spot on any team.
Where are 2026 Uni Nationals
This year the competition is in Perth, WA. Commencing from the 27 September to 2 October.
While trials and EOI are closed for this year’s Uni Nationals, EOIs for our Uni Nationals Stand Alone events are still open and we encourage student athletes to apply.
Why play sport at Charles Sturt
Playing sports at Charles Sturt is a great way to make new friends and connect with people from different courses and campuses. It is a way to get active and help you reach your daily steps goals!
If Uni Nationals seems too intense for you or if you missed this year’s trials, we offer a range of social sports across each campus.
Our student support team is here to help answer any questions you might have about Uni Nationals or social sport.
What if I can’t attend trials?
If you’re unable to attend trials at the designated campuses (Port Mac, Bathurst, Wagga, Orange and Albury-Wodonga), 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, being present at trials in person is highly recommended for a more comprehensive evaluation in the selection process.
Do I need to meet selection criteria?
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.
Do I need to study a sports related course to go to Uni Nationals?
No! You do not need to study exercise and sports science, physiotherapy or any other health related field to go to Uni Nationals. But if you are, it can be a good place to put your skills and knowledge into action.
You just need to be a current student to be eligible for selection. Past students are also known to attend in a coaching capacity, so it doesn’t have to end after graduation!
How do I travel to Nationals?
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.
How much does Uni Nationals cost?
Registration costs can vary each year, and usually depend on the sport you are participating in. Last year, students also had a $180 CSU sport levy which covered accommodation and uniforms.
Additionally, you’ll need to consider factoring in travel costs and food expenses for the week. We encourage you to contact our student services if you would like more specific fee information.
Is there a subsidy for Elite Athlete Program members competing in UniSport events?
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. If you think you might be eligible to join the program apply now to gain the benefits.
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