The University of Adelaide showing good form at the SA Challenge halfway mark
Published Wed 05 Jul 2023
The University of Adelaide (UoA) is on track to win back-to-back shields in the SA Challenge with some strong individual and team performances leading to a top of the table position so far in 2023.
Heading into the mid-semester break, UoA with 17 points hold a slender margin over Flinders University who are on 16 points, and UniSA are on 14.
SA Challenge is an annual intervarsity multi-sport competition that started back in 2006 and involves students from UniSA, Flinders University, and The University of Adelaide.
Torrens University has participated in the past but not in 2023.
AUSF Sports Programs Officer Tyson Blanco said UoA had performed very well, so much so that out of all the events they had competed in the lowest position they had finished was second.
Tyson mentioned there had been some stand-out individual and team performances.
“Jack Pettman has been pretty impressive in touch footy and tennis, and the volleyball team has put in a really strong performance led by elite program athletes Leilani Burnell, Esteban Cure and Alex Candy”, Tyson said.
“Our two lacrosse teams were incredible, the only game they lost was when they played each other.
We also put in a great team performance in the Ultimate Frisbee although it was a bit nervy in the final game as we conceded in the last minute, which tied things up but luckily, we still won on count back.
We are looking alright as we move into the next semester’s sports.”
Tyson said that over the course of the year participants compete in different sports and then the overall winner of the Intervarsity Cup is determined from there with each sport having individual shields.
The event is endorsed by UniSport Australia and is all about participation, having a go and competing to be crowned SA Challenge champions.
UoA has competed in seven sports in the first semester and will be involved in three in the second semester.
The seven sports in the first semester were:
(click the link to see the photo album)
- Tennis (Men’s and Women’s)
- 5-a-side Lacrosse (Mixed)
- Touch Football (Mixed)
- Ultimate Frisbee (Mixed)
- Indoor Volleyball (Mixed)
- Netball 5’s (Mixed)
- Table Tennis (Open)
The three sports in the second semester will be:
(click the link for more information and to register)
“It’s really good to get out there and enjoy playing a sport and meeting new people and other like-minded students”, Tyson reflected.
“It is also great to meet people that you can go to other intervarsity events, and it is also a drawcard for Uni Nationals.
And it is a good way to get away from study for the day, have fun and enjoy yourself.”
Entries are open now for semester two exclusively to members of Adelaide University Sport. Not a member? Join today for a range of benefits.
Entry is $10 per person (per sport) which includes a FREE playing t-shirt.
All students must register individually, however, during the registration process you will have the chance to list the names of other students with whom you'd like to form a team.
Registrations close one week prior to each event and spaces are limited
