UQ Vice-Chancellor celebrates UniSport Nationals championship
University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj AC has congratulated UQ students on winning the 2018 UniSport Nationals Div 1 overall championship.
Team UQ won nine Div 1 champion pennants – the most of UniSport’s 43 member universities – to be crowned inaugural Nationals champions.
UQ placed second in five sports, and third in a further seven events.Professor Høj said UQ was honoured to be Australia’s top-ranked sporting university.
“UQ has a rich sporting history dating more than a century and we are very proud to be the first ever winner of the UniSport Nationals title,” Professor Høj said.
“It is pleasing to see so many students represent UQ across a wide array of sports.
“I wish all of our student-athletes success as they represent UQ at Nationals events throughout the year.”
UQ will compete in 25 sports at Nationals Div 1 (28 September – 3 October) on the Gold Coast, with Cheer & Dance competitor Rebekah Thornton to captain UQ at the event.The Bachelor of Communication / Journalism student said she looked forward to leading the University at her third UniSport competition.
“I am honoured to represent a team that is as strong and united as UQ is,” Ms Thornton said.
“In 2018, seven of UQ’s eight Cheer and Dance teams placed top-three in their divisions, and we’re looking to build on those results this year.”UQ will compete in Men’s Basketball and Touch Football at next month’s Nationals Div 2 (8-11 July) competition, and will be captained by basketballer Tyson Rech.
Division 2 teams ranked top-two will earn promotion to compete at this year’s Nationals Division 1 event.
Mr Rech, a Bachelor of Business Management / Bachelor of Commerce student, said Nationals was a highlight on the university sporting calendar.
“Nationals is a great event to play sport at a high level and meet new people from different universities with similar interests,” Mr Rech said.
“With the current success of UQ’s teams, it is a privilege to lead our Div 2 squad to continue the momentum of being Australia’s number one sporting university.”UQ students interested in competing at 2019 UniSport Nationals events are encouraged to register their interest by emailing TeamUQ@uqsport.com.au.
Media: Jamie Mitchell, UQ Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752.
