University of Newcastle’s Team Wollotuka Wins Back-to-Back Indigenous Nationals Titles

newy.com.au – The University of Newcastle’s Team Wollotuka has secured consecutive victories at the 2025 Indigenous Nationals, held from 24 to 27 June in Boorloo (Perth) on Whadjuk Noongar Country. The team triumphed over 31 other universities in a mixed competition across four sports: touch football, basketball, netball, and volleyball. They clinched first place in both touch football and basketball, were runners-up in netball, and reached the top eight in volleyball.

The Indigenous Nationals, formerly known as the National Indigenous Tertiary Education Student Games (NITESG), began in 1996 as a class project by 13 students at the University of Newcastle’s Wollotuka School for Aboriginal Studies. Now in its 29th year, the event brings together Indigenous student-athletes from across Australia in a celebration of sport, culture, and community.

Team Wollotuka, comprising Aboriginal students from various academic disciplines, was also recognised for individual excellence. Anaiwan woman and Bachelor of Education student Jessica Love received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for basketball. Co-captain Alkira Johnston, a Kamilaroi woman studying Bachelor of Medical Science, was acknowledged for embodying the spirit of the games in netball .

Loren Collyer, Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Leadership and Head of The Wollotuka Institute, praised the team’s performance: “I want to congratulate our students for not only winning the games but also representing both the University and their communities to the highest standard.” She added, “We are already preparing for the 30th Indigenous Nationals. We’ve been named host of the 2026 games, so we’re looking forward to having community support when our two-time national champions defend the trophy on home soil.”

The Wollotuka Institute, established in 1983, serves as a support centre for Indigenous students at the University of Newcastle. It offers academic programs, student support, and community engagement initiatives, aiming to advance and lead Indigenous education at local, national, and global levels.

In the overall standings of the 2025 Indigenous Nationals, the University of Newcastle secured first place with 160 points, followed by Australian Catholic University with 143 points, and Queensland University of Technology with 129 points.

The 30th Indigenous Nationals are scheduled to be hosted by the University of Newcastle in 2026, marking a return to the event’s origins. The university community anticipates welcoming teams from across the nation to celebrate three decades of Indigenous sporting excellence.