They are among our most popular, so it is perhaps no surprise we performed best in basketball and rugby-based competitions at UniSport Nationals this year.
With three wins in three games, the mixed touch and men’s basketball teams finished first and second in their pools, setting up potential medal-winning runs. But losses in key games—the round of 16 and a quarter final in basketball and during the second phase of pool play in touch—meant both teams would play off for fifth. While tight, the Eagles finished ahead by one point in both, over regional rivals The University of Newcastle in division two basketball and Queensland University of Technology in division one touch.
Wins in a division two repechage and the playoff for fifth rescued a poor start—last place in pool play—for the women’s basketball team.
A third-place pool finish enabled the men’s rugby league 9s to play for a place in the gold-medal game. A loss in the semi-final, though, pushed the team to the playoffs. With a win apiece, the Eagles and Charles Stuart University played the final game for a bronze medal. The score: 5-20.
The Eagles also competed in mixed netball and men’s and women’s volleyball, winning only three games.
Co-captains Tulip Nguyen and Tanner Hagen helped foster a strong sense of community, with teams supporting others at every game. “From prayers to tunnels, chanting and screaming, it felt fun to do it all as a combined team,” says Tulip. “We aren’t a big university,” adds Tanner, but we are one of the proudest.”
Continuing an Eagles tradition, all teams prayed for themselves and for their opponents. “As one of the few religious higher education providers, we had a unique opportunity to share our faith,” says sport and recreation officer Jasmin Ringrose. With a focus on not just playing to win but on playing as good sports, the offer of prayer “leaves a lasting impression.” And makes an impact on postgame demeanour, with Jasmin noticing hugs, smiles and even tears.
Jasmin thanks the Eagles coaches who “give their time to mentor and train our teams” and sponsors including Professional Advantage and Sanitarium Health Food Company for “enabling our students to participate, ensuring they had energy to perform their best and providing newly-designed uniforms.”
A team of 84 from Avondale traveled to Canberra for the September 8-14 competition, which sees 6000 students from 42 providers playing 30 sports.
Photograph: Avondale Eagles player Aaron Pate breaks the line in a game during the Touch competition at UniSport Nationals.