Adaptive Sport in Universities
Your guide to adaptive sport in universities
Welcome to our resource for adaptive sport in universities.
Here, you'll find everything you need to know about building and enhancing adaptive sports programs on university campuses, as well as ways students can engage with and benefit from these initiatives.
This platform is designed to support universities in their journey toward inclusivity through sport, providing valuable education and training information, and connections to a network of experts, advocates, and organisations dedicated to adaptive sports. Learn how to design, implement, and grow adaptive sports programs on your campus.
As a student, discover opportunities to engage in adaptive sports, whether as a participant, volunteer, or advocate. Check out our Event Calendar to find adaptive sports competitions, workshops, and activities happening at your university or nearby. Discover resources to help you develop skills or get involved in organising events.
Explore inspiring success stories from university students with lived experience who have thrived through adaptive sports programs. Learn how these opportunities have enhanced their university experience and discover how you can get involved and achieve your own goals.
Join us in making adaptive sport a vibrant part of the university experience, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to participate, compete, and excel.
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Meet our student athletes
Summer Giddings, Macquarie University
Summer Giddings is a 3rd year student at Macquarie University (MQU) completing a Bachelor of Information Technology, majoring in cyber security.
As a para-athlete, Summer has relished the opportunity to compete in athletics and represent her university at the UniSport Nationals multi-sport event.
Summer competes in athletics, focusing on the 100m and long jump, with the 200m in her sights for the future.
“This was my 3rd time at UniSport Nationals,” Summer said after competing in the 2024 event, “it is a fantastic competition at the end of the athletics season and a great way to have some fun as well.”
In 2024, MQU took one their largest teams ever to Nationals, an exciting commitment to sport from the university.
Summer commended UniSport Australia on their development of a university athletics program that created an inclusive environment for para-athletes, “I think it’s great UniSport recognises para-athletes, and that they are really trying to create a better, more inclusive experience.”
When asked what it means to represent the university as a para-athlete, Summer says she it is not any different to an able body athlete, “it makes me proud to represent my university as part of the Nationals team and I stay focused on always putting in my best performance.”
Summer has recently returned from the Oceania Athletics Championships in Fiji, where she won gold in the Women’s Para Long Jump and is now training and building up to the upcoming athletics season.
When asked for advice to give younger student para-athletes who are considering competing at the UniSport athletics events in the future, Summer said, “just have a go. It’s really fun!”
Summer has been part of the Macquarie University Sport Scholar program since 2022 providing both academic and financial assistance, helping Summer to compete at this elite level. Macquarie University has supported Summer to compete and proudly represent the University helping to make the connections to the relevant sporting opportunities provided by UniSport.
For further information on competing for your university at UniSport events, please contact your key university contact.
