It was a successful Commonwealth Games in Birmingham for our UWA athletes, earning 12 medals in the Games.
Current UWA Psychology and Indigenous Studies Student and West Coast Fever Captain Courtney Bruce was a member of the gold-medal-winning Australian Diamonds Netball team, winning 4 out of 5 games and ultimately beating Jamaica in a thrilling final to take the gold medal.
Current students Flynn Ogilvie and Tim Howard, alongside graduate Andrew Charter and club member Tom Wickham were also members of the gold-winning men's Kookaburras hockey team, winning all games they competed in.
The women's Hockeyroos claimed silver, with the team including current student Beck Greiner, graduate Georgia Wilson, as well as club member Courtney Schonell. The Games also marked Georgia’s 50th game with the Hockeyroos.
In athletics, the UWA Athletics Club pole vaulters were a force to be reckoned with, with both current student Kurtis Marschall and club member Nina Kennedy claiming gold in their respective pole vault events. UWA student Angus Armstrong came in not too far behind, earning 5th place in the men's pole vault. Current student Rhiannon Clarke also claimed bronze in the 100m T38, while fellow club member Ella Pardy came in fifth in the same event.
Declan Tingay, a UWA graduate, also earned a silver medal in the men's 10,000m walk, a highlight of the athletics program.
In swimming, current student Josh Yong placed 7th in the 100m breaststroke. The UWA West Coast Swimming Club alumni were also well represented at the Games, Zac Incerti claiming 3 gold medals and setting two games records, and Brianna Throssell claiming two bronze medals. Josh Edwards-Smith also competed in the 100m and 200m backstroke events.
The UWA community also had plenty of representation off the field, with Bachelor of Arts student Tyler Miller being selected as the lead referee of the women's Rugby 7s bronze medal match and Brendyn Appleby working as head of conditioning with the Kookaburras team.