Back to where it all began: From a handful to hundreds, UniSports Indigenous National returns to Newcastle in 2026

Jarred Cross Published June 16, 2026 at 1.55pm (AWST)

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30 years ago, a class project out of Newcastle University's Wollotuka Institute kicked off what's grown into an annual Nationals bringing hundreds of Indigenous students. Image: supplied

In 1996, 13 students from Newcastle University's Wollotuka Institute started a class project to bring a handful of others to their campus for some sport.

30 years later, it's grown into a national annual event and one of the country's biggest for First Nations students — the Indigenous Nationals.

Now it's returning to where it all started for a special anniversary, and is set to bring more than 500 people to the 2026 UniSport carnival in a fortnight's time.

Aunty Trish Neal was among those original founders, studying a diploma in Aboriginal Studies at the time.

There was a second-year assessment to start National Indigenous Student Games, she explained.

*Aunty Trish helped launch what's grown into a major annual gathering of Indigenous students all the way back in 1996. Image: supplied*

"At the first games we had a team from Wollotuka, a team from the University of Western Sydney, three students who were very, very tall from UNE (University of New England) who came down here to play basketball, and one student from the University of Canberra, and that was it," Aunty Trish recounts with a laugh.

Aunty Trish is a current lecturer at the Wollotuka Institute.

In the years since thousands have come to compete, connect and celebrate culture.

More than 30 universities regularly attend.

Current Wollotuka Institute head Loren Collyer said the this years games, the 30th Nationals, is not only sport but a celebration to the founders and those who've been there over the journey.

"Indigenous Nationals has been built by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students over decades, and is an event for us, and by us," Ms Collyer said.

"Every participant brings their own story, their own community and their own identity, and together, that's what makes this event so powerful."

University of Newcastle also host as reigning champions.

The Nationals will see the schools compete in basketball, netball, volleyball and touch football with bragging rights on the line. It's described as a living legacy to its humble beginning.

After last year's event, UniSport chief executive Mark Sinderberry pointed to its powerful, fitting return to Awabakal and Worimi Country 12 months later.

Hosting the 30th Indigenous Nationals in Newcastle is both a celebration of the event's origins and a testament to the leadership of the Wollotuka Institute and the University of Newcastle," he said.

Mr Sinderberry described the games as one of the university sector's most significant celebrations of First Nations culture.

Raymond Kelly Junior has been around since the start.

*University of Newcastle took out last year's Indigenous Nationals, and bring it back to where it all started in 2026. Image: supplied*

"I remember the first Indigenous Nationals being a lot of fun — some teams were extremely competitive, and others were just there for the cultural sharing and social events," he said.

Mr Kelly was a 15-year-old watching his mum, current Wollotuka Elder in Residence Aunty Amanda Kelly, compete.

He since participated directly himself, and stuck around as a coach and mentor for Newcastle University students.

Mr Kelly's also getting onto the courts and fields in 2026.

"In 2019, I had the pleasure of taking a wonderful group of students to compete in Western Australia," he said.

"What stood out most was how big the games had gotten, as teams were wearing complete sports uniforms including socks and backpacks, which was very different from the first event where some teams were in mixed uniforms and had to write names and numbers on the back with texta!"

Aunty Trish added: "It's absolutely amazing to see hundreds of students from all around Australia, I'm so proud to have been part of something that means so much to so many".