JCU at Indigenous Nationals
UniSport caught up with James Cook University (JCU) after their recent …
National Indigenous Tertiary Education Student Games (NITESG) began in 1996 as a joint class project between 13 students enrolled in a Diploma of Aboriginal Studies (Community Recreation) at the then Wollotuka School for Aboriginal Studies, The University of Newcastle.
Now referred to as Indigenous Nationals, the event is a week-long multi-sport competition for Indigenous student-athletes. The annual event aims to bring together student-athletes from universities across Australiaย to compete in a variety of sports and ultimately crown one university team the champion of the games. Indigenous Nationals is an amazing environment to not only celebrate the rich sporting culture of Indigenous Australia but to also acknowledge the heritage and history of the participating student-athletes.
In 2026, the 30th Indigenous Nationals will be held from 29 June to 3 July at the University of Newcastle in Newcastle, NSW. The event will contested in a mixed competition across four sports: touch football, basketball, netball, and volleyball.
UniSport Australia respectfully acknowledges the Awabakal and Worimi Peoples; the traditional owners of the land on which the 2026 Indigenous Nationals will take place.
Indigenous Nationals bp Australia Scholarships are now open! ๐
For the 8th consecutive year, bp Australia will be awarding two $5,000 scholarships to the two most promising Indigenous student-athletes to support their academic and athletic endeavours.
Scholarship recipients will also receive mentoring and professional development opportunities from bp Australia as part of their ongoing partnership with UniSport.
In 2026, bp Australia will present the 30th edition of the Indigenous Nationals, a special milestone as we return to where it all began at The Wollotuka Institute, The University of Newcastle (29 June โ 3 July) on Awabakal & Worimi Country.
Find out more and get ready to apply at the link in bio.
๐
Applications close Monday 11 May 2026
#IndigenousNationals | @bp_plc @thewollotukainstitute
@adelaideunisportfitness @anu.sport @tjabal.centre @bond_sport @curtinsports @deakindragons @ecu.sports @fedunisport @flindersunisportfitness @griffithsport @jcusportofficial @jcu_isa @macquarieunisport @mq_isa @walanga_muru_mq @melbunisport @monash_sport @murdochactive
@qutsport @qut_indigiso @rmitactive @scuunilife @swinburnelife @uc.sport @uniscsportandfitness @arcsportunsw @sydunisport @gadigalcentre_usyd @utssport @uqsport @goorieberrimpa @atsisuq @uwasport @uwa_sis @uow_woolyungah @uowuniactive @utassport @latrobesport @ndiss.au @vusport @nusport.theforum @nusport.sport
IT`S TIME! ๐ฃ Registrations for the 2026 Indigenous Nationals presented by bp Australia are now OPEN! ๐๐
Celebrating 30 years of culture, connection and competition, weโre returning to where it all began at @thewollotukainstitute on Awabakal & Worimi Country ๐ค๐โค๏ธ
Join Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from universities across Australia for this unforgettable multi-sport event, featuring Touch Football, Volleyball, Basketball & Netball.
More than just a tournament, Indigenous Nationals is about coming together, sharing culture, and building lasting connections through sport.
๐
29 June-3 July
๐The University of Newcastle, NSW (@uni_newcastle)
Contact your universityโs sport department before registering to secure your team registration code, then register at the link in bio!
#IndigenousNationals | @bp_plc
@adelaideunisportfitness @anu.sport @tjabal.centre @bond_sport @curtinsports @deakindragons @ecu.sports @fedunisport @flindersunisportfitness @griffithsport @jcusportofficial @jcu_isa @macquarieunisport @mq_isa @walanga_muru_mq @melbunisport @monash_sport @murdochactive
@qutsport @qut_indigiso @rmitactive @scuunilife @swinburnelife @uc.sport @uniscsportandfitness @arcsportunsw @sydunisport @gadigalcentre_usyd @utssport @uqsport @goorieberrimpa @atsisuq @uwasport @uwa_sis @uow_woolyungah @uowuniactive @utassport @latrobesport @ndiss.au @vusport @nusport.theforum @nusport.sport
1๏ธโฃ DAY TO GO ๐ฅ Registrations open tomorrow at 9:00am AEST ๐
Be part of the 30th anniversary as we return to where it all began at @thewollotukainstitute @uni_newcastle. We`ll see you there!
Get ready for an epic week of culture, connection, and competition across Touch Football, Volleyball, Basketball & Netball ๐
Check the link in bio for everything you need to know before you register! ๐
#IndigenousNationals
โ๏ธ DAYS TO GO!
Head to the link in bio for everything you need to know before registrations OPEN for the 30th Anniversary Indigenous Nationals, presented by bp Australia ๐
Weโre proud to be returning to where it all began โ @thewollotukainstitute at @uni_newcastle on Awabakal & Worimi Country ๐ค๐โค๏ธ
#IndigenousNationals
3๏ธโฃ DAYS TO GO until registrations open for the 2026 Indigenous Nationals presented by bp โณ
Weโre counting down to celebrating 30 years of culture, connection and competition, returning to where it all began at @thewollotukainstitute on Awabakal & Worimi Country ๐ค๐โค๏ธ
๐จRegistrations open Monday 23 March at 9:00am AEST ๐ Get registration ready at the link in bio.
#IndigenousNationals | @bp_plc
@nusport.theforum @nusport.sport
Celebrating 30 years of culture, community and competition, as we unveil the official artwork for the 2026 Indigenous Nationals.
Created by proud Wiradjuri woman Marissa Stanley, this powerful piece tells the story of Mobs from across the country coming together with each journey, each pattern, each connection leading back to where it all began.
As we return to @uni_newcastle and @thewollotukainstitute, the artwork reflects not just place, but people past, present and future, honouring those who started it all and those who continue to carry it forward.
Take a moment to read the full artistโs statement and connect with the story behind the design | ๐ Full statement at the link in bio.
#IndigenousNationals | @nusport.theforum @nusport.sport
One week since Indigenous Nationals 2025โฆ we miss you mob ๐ฅบ
Relive the week through our wrap up article at the link in bio ๐โจ
#IndigenousNationals @uwasport
Weโre excited to announce that the 30th Anniversary of Indigenous Nationals, presented by @bp_plc Australia, will return to where it all began with @uni_newcastle and @thewollotukainstitute confirmed as hosts for 2026! ๐
What started in 1996 as a student-led initiative at The Wollotuka Institute has grown into a national celebration of culture, community and sport, uniting hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student-athletes from across the country.
At the 2025 Closing Ceremony, University of Newcastle Co-Captain Leroy Reid, received the official host boomerang from Dougy Neilson of UWAโs School of Indigenous Studies, marking the handover of host duties for next yearโs games.
We canโt wait to celebrate 30 years of Indigenous Nationals back on the land where it all began
๐ค๐โค๏ธ๐๐๐ค
Read the full announcement at the link in bio ๐โจ
#IndigenousNationals
2025 Spirit of the Sport Medallists ๐
The Spirit of the Sport medals are awarded to the students who consistently embody the values of the sport and the Indigenous Nationals competition throughout the week.
Congratulations to the following students:
๐ Brooklyn Broughman (ANU)
๐ Jordan Williams (UTS)
๐
Alkira Johnston (UON)
๐ Alli Charles (MON)
#IndigenousNationals @uwasport
Couldn`t let the week slip by without a shout out to our 2025 Indigenous Nationals MVPs! ๐ฅ
๐ Jessica Love (UON)
๐ CJ Booth (USYD)
๐
Latifah Rogers (ACU) & Chad Buckman (UNSW)
๐ Kelsey Doyle (QUT)
#IndigenousNationals @uwasport
| Document Name | Category | File Type | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| View | |||
Code of ConductA Code of Conduct template by Sport Australia for your club |
Club Toolkits, Member Templates |
DOCX 63.57 KB |
Download View |
Code of behaviourCode of behaviour policy |
Nationals Event Policies & Guidelines |
PDF 159.75 KB |
Download View |
Participant agreement – Indigenous NationalsIndigenous Nationals participant agreement policy |
Nationals Event Policies & Guidelines |
PDF 182.02 KB |
Download View |
| View |
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