Bond University has reclaimed its crown as Per Capita Champion at the recent 2017 Australian University Games, held here on the Gold Coast, following a brilliant performance from its 200-strong team.
The Doug Ellis Per Capita Trophy, which goes to the university winning the most pennants per student numbers, was awarded to Bond after finishing a staggering 300+ points ahead of second-placed QUT, and SCU who finished third. Â
In addition to finishing 16th overall (out of 41 universities) – one of our best-ever results – Bond was the highest scoring university in the country in swimming overall, women’s swimming and women’s netball (division two).
Bond swimmers won a total of 30 medals over the three days of competition, with Jenna Strauch breaking an AUG record in the 200 metre breaststroke, and Amy Forrester and Laura Taylor selected in the AUG Green & Gold merit team for their outstanding efforts over the competition.
Seven other Bond athletes were also named in the Green & Gold merit team: Clara Dahlenburg (handball), Palmoa Oliveira (futsal), Melinda Sun (Badminton), Ally Evans (women’s touch), Hiu Fung Tang (handball), Madison Eggert (squash) and Courtney Gilfillan (cycling).
Bond Sport Club Coordinator, Rebecca Herbert congratulated the athletes on their standout performance and their sporting attitude.
“The Bullsharks are very proud to be returning the Doug Ellis trophy to its rightful home here at Bond in 2017,” she said.
“For a university the size of ours to have 17 top-ten finishes across team and individual sports, and bring home national pennants in highly-competitive, flagship sports like swimming is an awesome achievement.
“Congratulations to every student, coach and team manager involved in the 2017 Australian University Games - Team Bond did exceptionally well and certainly did the University proud.”
The overall winner of the 2017 AUG was University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with The University of Melbourne finishing second and The University of Sydney finishing third. The John White Spirit of the Games trophy, awarded to the university that displays outstanding sportsmanship, fair play and respect for self and others, was awarded to Macquarie University.
Australian University Sport CEO Don Knapp said he was pleased by the level of sportsmanship and high-quality athleticism displayed by the student-athletes.
“A key aim of Australian University Sport is to enable student-athletes to participate in competitive sport at regional, national and international levels through a dual education and sport pathway,” Mr Knapp said.
Over 9,000 student athletes participated in 32 sports in the 2017 Australian University Games at venues across the Gold Coast, including right here on campus where the Handball and Rugby Sevens events were held.
The Australian University Games are the largest university sporting event in Australia, and are renowned for providing a friendly but competitive environment for Australian university athletes.Â