Swinburne students compete in Indigenous University Games for the first time

The Indigenous Uni Games began in 1996 as a joint class project between 13 students from the University of Newcastle.

The 2017 games were held at Deakin University’s Geelong campus from 25 June–29 June. The Swinburne/Victoria University team competed in netball, volleyball, touch football and basketball.

The event was a great opportunity for students to have the chance to represent Swinburne in sports, as well as meet other students who also have indigenous heritage.

“Being involved with the Uni Games was important to me, because my teammates and I were able to represent not only our university but our indigenous culture,” participant Liam Flanagan says.

Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts student Neane Carter is also looking forward to getting involved in the games.

“Ever since enrolling at Swinburne I've wanted to meet Aboriginal students, and I'm so excited that the Indigenous Uni Games will enable this,” Neane says.

For Neane, the games were about much more than winning.

“I first heard about the Indigenous Uni Games from a friend that had attended last year. I heard about how the games gave her the Indigenous community feeling she lacked in her everyday life, and how it provided her with the opportunity to ask questions and experience her culture,” Neane says.

“I felt that attending the Uni Games would give me the opportunity to get to know other Indigenous students at Swinburne and experience a sense of community and cultural belonging.” 

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