Overall, Team UWA Maali had 29 athletes competing across Fencing, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball at the 2023 UniSport Nationals.
Team Maali captains, Shev Dias and Sam Chong led the small UWA contingent at this year’s nationals’ campaign on the Gold Coast (Kombumerri Country).
UWA Maali were able to produce solid performances in each sport over the seven-day competition. George Dale and Thai Pham represented UWA in Fencing across all three disciplines. The highly competitive duo achieved great success in Fencing. Tai Pham won silver in Novice Foil and gold in Novice Epee whilst his mentor, George Dale, won bronze in Epee.
The Ultimate team were a mix blend of experienced players, new players and players from other sporting codes. The team finished 7th in the Div 2 competition but overall, won the hearts of the competition with a strong comradery within the team and great sportsmanship on display.
As reigning champions, UWA Maali Men's Volleyball team were the team to beat at nationals but struggled to find consistency throughout the regular rounds of play. The new-look team narrowly missed out on the bronze play-off and finished 7th in Div 2 of the competition.
UniSport Nationals hosted the inaugural Unity Day on Wednesday 27 September, celebrating the diversity and inclusion in sport. Unity Day provided the opportunity for participants to acknowledge the importance of unity in sport through participating, engaging and connecting.
UWA Maali claimed victory in the most decorated title of at the event, the UniSport Nationals Mascot Race. UWA Maali clawed its way back to beat reigning champion Baxter the Duck from the University of Wollongong to clinch the gold medal.
Congratulations to all the UWA Maali representatives on a successful campaign.
The 2024 UniSport Nationals will be held in September in Canberra. More details to be released closer to the date.