For back-to-back UniSport Indigenous Nationals champion co-captain Alkira Johnston, the annual competition isn't something to be missed.

Team Wollotuka, out of the University of Newcastle, claimed the trophy over more than 30 other sides from around the country at the University of Western Australia in Boorloo (Perth) last week.

It was the 29th edition of the Indigenous Nationals, hosting touch football, basketball, netball, and volleyball tournaments.

Johnston admits she and her teammates might have uncovered a secret to their success.

"I think our team's pretty unique. We really get everyone to play all four sports," the Kamilaroi woman told National Indigenous Times, "which I think really put us over the line. It's exciting that everyone was involved in the whole thing".

A hot start to the tournament gave the University of Newcastle's side pole position for claiming consecutive Nationals honours, ending days one and two winners of basketball and touch - the latter in an extra time drop-off over the University of Sydney.

Next came a grand final in the netball, falling short to Australian Catholic University before a more modest finish in volleyball, eventually won by Monash.

Wollotuka's Jessica Love, an Anaiwan woman and Bachelor of Education student, was named MVP of the basketball, while Johnston got the nod for best displaying the spirit of the games in netball.

Johnston has played three out of the previous four years, only missing 2023 at Monash University in Naarm.

"We've been pretty lucky…I haven't actually lost the touch yet," Johnston joked, saying she "luckily skipped" the trip two years ago.

Still, the yearly competition offers a lot more than a push for bragging rights.

"It's very much not about winning. You'll play the game and at the end you'll sit and have a chat, get a picture with the other team, and get to really get to know people," Johnston said.

She added she's still regularly in contact with mates from other parts of the country made at the Indigenous Nationals during her first year attending.

It's also an opportunity to learn more about other mobs, she added.

"I've gone out to three different mobs to experience it, and each opening ceremony, like, kind of showcases, like their dances, their language and their customs…it's been pretty cool to see.

"We're all one big culture, but we all have our own unique things too."

As an medical science student, it's also been a chance to mix with other University of Newcastle students and staff at its Wollotuka Institute, something Johnston isn't getting so often while on placement.

The NSW university is credited with starting the foundations from which the Indigenous Nationals have grown.

On its website, UniSport acknowledges the 'joint class project between 13 students enrolled in a Diploma of Aboriginal Studies (Community Recreation) at the then Wollotuka School for Aboriginal Studies' at UoN for establishing the then-National Indigenous Tertiary Education Student Games in 1996.

They take on hosting rights in 2025.

"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," head of The Wollotuka Institute and Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Leadership Loren Collyer said.

"I can't think of a better way to bring the trophy back home, back to where it all started, here at the University of Newcastle.

"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."

Johnston had a message for anyone thinking about getting involved in a side, or kicking themselves they didn't put their hand up for selection in 2025.

"Just give it a go," she said.

"I guess uni itself, going from year 12 or being first year is such a scary experience. And it's important to make those connections…even if you're a bit nervous, just coming to trials and making new friends, even if you don't make the team (is a plus)."

Johnston said she's keen to be back at the Indigenous Nationals, pending selection, at the home tournament next year and again in 2026.