ҹɫÊÓƵ

L-R: Tyson Rech, Madison Smith, Professor Peter Høj, Daniel Parnell and Jessica Osborne
27 June 2019

University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj AC has congratulated ҹɫÊÓƵ students on winning the 2018 UniSport Nationals Div 1 overall championship. 

Team ҹɫÊÓƵ won nine Div 1 champion pennants - the most of UniSport's 43 member universities - to be crowned inaugural Nationals champions. 

ҹɫÊÓƵ placed second in five sports, and third in a further seven events.

Professor Høj said ҹɫÊÓƵ was honoured to be Australia's top-ranked sporting university. 

"ҹɫÊÓƵ 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 ҹɫÊÓƵ across a wide array of sports. 

"I wish all of our student-athletes success as they represent ҹɫÊÓƵ at Nationals events throughout the year." 

ҹɫÊÓƵ 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 ҹɫÊÓƵ at the event. 

The Bachelor of Communication I 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 ҹɫÊÓƵ is," Ms Thornton said. 

"In 2018, seven of ҹɫÊÓƵ's eight Cheer and Dance teams placed top-three in their divisions, and we're looking to build on those results this year." 

ҹɫÊÓƵ 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 ҹɫÊÓƵ's teams, it is a privilege to lead our Div 2 squad to continue the momentum of being Australia's number one sporting university." 

ҹɫÊÓƵ students interested in competing at 2019 UniSport Nationals events are encouraged to register their interest by emailing TeamҹɫÊÓƵ@uqsport.com.au.

Image above left: Tyson Rech (Basketball) UniSport Nationals Div 2 captain

Image above right: Rebekah Thornton (Cheer & Dance) Unisport Nationals Div 1 captain

Media: Jamie Mitchell, ҹɫÊÓƵ Sport, JamieM@uqsport.com.au, 0423 785 752.