FIRST NATIONS
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Adelaide University, Adelaide University Sport and Fitness, and the Adelaide University Fitness Hub respectfully acknowledges the Kaurna, Boandik and Barngarla people and their Elders past and present, the original custodians of the lands on which the campuses of Adelaide University are located - in Adelaide, Magill, Mawson Lakes, Waite, Roseworthy, Mount Gambier and Whyalla. We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, to honouring their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country, and to recognising the role and value of culture. |
Adelaide University Sport and Fitness (AUSF) is proud to be affiliated with Tirkangkaku / Adelaide University, the first University in Australia to have an Indigenous name enshrined in their founding Act.
AUSF focuses on ensuring that First Nations students and staff are provided with opportunities to engage with sports, and actively partners with Adelaide University First Nations Student Support on these initiatives.
UniSport Indigenous Nationals
Adelaide University Sport and Fitness sends a team to compete annually in the UniSport Indigenous Nationals - a multi-sport intervarsity event showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes from over 30 Australian universities. This initiative is fully funded for students due to a co-funding agreement between AUSF and Adelaide University First Nations Student Support, ensuring that students are provided with academic, financial and training support throughout.
UniSport Indigenous Nationals event sees a team of 16 students compete in four sports during the week-long carnival, including Basketball, Netball, Touch Football and Volleyball. Throughout the week these students are provided with the opportunity to connect with mob from around Australia, attend mixers and concerts, and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses at events such as the Mob Markets.
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AU Waatu
The AU Waatu is Adelaide University's team competing in the New Balance University Basketball League. One of three teams in the UBL with an Indigenous name, waatu means 'coming together' in Kaurna language, and was officially chosen by Adelaide University Sport and Uncle Rod O'Brien, Cultural Advisor, University of Adelaide’s Indigenous Education unit in 2022.
"Waatu brings a community together, in partnership with one another and to play as one team," said Uncle Rod O'Brien. "It is important to use language as it provides a better connection to country and strength to a community."
AU Waatu's new uniform design for 2026 incorporates the artwork Kaurna Day 2025 by Indigenous artist Brooke Rigney (Rigney-Lively).
Previous AU Waatu uniform designs used from 2022-2025 were led by Mai-Sie Crawford-Owers, Marketing and Communications Officer (Indigenous Engagement), Wirltu Yarlu Aboriginal Education, who said, "The team name inspired this design, with the flow of the artwork creating a journey, similar to the river, creating a place to come together and meet."
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FINANCIAL SUPPORTAdelaide University Sport and Fitness and Adelaide University provide financial support to First Nations students through sporting scholarships open exclusively to First Nations applicants, including: PEOPLE FIRST BANK SCHOLARSHIPFunded by Adelaide University Sport and Fitness Adelaide University Sport and Fitness prides itself on providing sport and recreation opportunities for all students and the People First Bank Scholarships are designed to support our focus on inclusion, including a dedicated Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander scholarship. The total funding amount for this scholarship is $1,000. ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY NETBALL SA FIRST NATIONS SCHOLARSHIPFunded by Adelaide University The Adelaide University Netball SA First Nations Scholarship is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with an affiliation to Netball SA commencing any undergraduate or postgraduate course or pathway program, including online programs at Adelaide University. The total funding amount for this scholarship is $5,000 per year up to $22,000 over four years, including a $500 payment when awarded and up to $1,500 for relocation from a rural area. GOODES O'LOUGHLIN ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY GO SCHOLARSHIPFunded by Adelaide University The Goodes O'Loughlin Adelaide University GO Scholarship is open to high achieving Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students who are residing in South Australia and enrolled in a Bachelor of Business (majoring in Sport Management) or selected health science undergraduate degree. The total funding amount for this scholarship is $10,000 per year up to $30,000 over three years. FULL SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION |