RMIT students showcase talent and teamwork at 2025 UniSport Nationals

In late September, over 220 RMIT students travelled to the Gold Coast for the 2025 UniSport Nationals. With 40 universities competing across a wide range of sports, the event is the largest on the university sporting calendar. RMIT’s presence was strong—on the field and in the community.

RMIT athletes delivered standout results. Taekwondo competitors claimed three gold and three bronze individual medals. The Women’s Basketball team won gold in Division 2, and Lacrosse secured silver.

Women’s Basketball Team (Division 2 Gold Winners)

Lacrosse Team (Silver Medalists)

Tenpin Bowling earned bronze in the overall individual standings, with standout performances from Serena Webster (third in Day 1 singles, 166.3 average) and Kailani Hillyer (third in All Events, 18-game average of 171). The team included Emma Watkins, a fashion design student from Brunswick who joined just weeks before cut-off, keen to try something new.

“It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made,” Emma said. Despite being new to the sport, she embraced the challenge, met new people, and discovered a passion she now wants to pursue regularly. “I wasn’t the best,” she admitted, “but the experience was invaluable and just so much fun.”

Emma Watkins competing in Tenpin Bowling for RMIT at UniSport Nationals.

Other teams reaching medal matches included Futsal, Women’s Tennis and Mixed Netball, reflecting the depth of skill and commitment across the RMIT contingent.

Beyond competition, the week celebrated student life, connection and creativity. Athletes were joined by volunteers and students undertaking Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements in media, osteopathy and chiropractic. These groups played distinct but complementary roles in shaping the Nationals experience.

Over 80 posts were shared across Active Socials, capturing match-day action, behind-the-scenes moments and team reflections. Five podcast episodes spotlighted different athletes and teams, sharing the energy and diversity of the event with the wider RMIT community.

RMIT Sport & Recreation Digital Engagement Officer Sofia D’Elia-Ruggiero coordinated all media throughout the event, supporting the student-led content team.

“Coordinating the media team at Uni Nationals this year was truly one for the books,” Sofia shared. She spoke proudly of the team's hard work and the record number of female media volunteers in a typically male-dominated space. “Watching them grow, connect with athletes, and build a real sense of family as a team is why student-led content matters so much. It brings energy, fun, and authentic storytelling to life.”

Off the courts and fields, excitement continued. A mattress surf-off between RMIT Sailing and RMIT Ultimate Frisbee drew a crowd, with Sailing taking the win. Rupert the Redback placed fifth in the crowd-favourite Mascot Race at UniFest.

University mascots, including RMIT’s Redback, race for glory during UniFest.

UniSport Nationals mascot race

Student Captains Quill Spiegel, Piper McDonald and Lucas Griggs played a key role in fostering team spirit.

For Lucas, Nationals were “so much more than just a competition.” He described it as a celebration of “culture, connection, and community,” where athletes united to represent something bigger than themselves. “Positivity and respect were at the centre of everything we did,” he said, reflecting on the power of sport to offer “a moment of freedom… where nothing else matters.”

Whether competing, volunteering or supporting from the sidelines, RMIT students brought energy and pride to the Gold Coast—showcasing teamwork, talent and a strong sense of community.

23 October 2025

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