Doug Ellis is eyeing off long service leave.
By the time the next UniSport Nationals roll around, the Doug Ellis trophy would have spent a decade proudly displayed in the Bond University Sport Office.
For the ninth consecutive year and the thirteenth time since 2009, Bond University has won the Doug Ellis Per Capita Trophy at UniSport Nationals.
This year, 230 Bull Sharks flooded our home waters on the Gold Coast, competing across a range of sports against 40 universities from across the country.
The swimmers led the charge, taking home the pennant at UniSport Swimming earlier this year securing their fourth consecutive overall sweep of the championships.
But the Bull Sharks were circling across every sport.
Judo pulled through with Bond PhD student, Kelsey Francis winning gold in the women’s open category and her teammates Elijah and Charles both taking home bronze in the men's categories.
Chez Bos proved he was in charge of the surf, clinching the cup in the men’s shortboard final.
Netballers and touch footballers took home bronze in their respective sports.
By the end of the week, the Bull Sharks finished inside the top 10, accumulating 1598 points overall.
UniSport Nationals CEO, Mark Sinderberry congratulated the university on its high standards of excellence in sport.
“Winning the Doug Ellis Trophy again is a testament to Bond’s commitment to creating opportunities for all students to compete and excel,” Sinderberry said.
“On behalf of UniSport Australia, I congratulate Bond on another outstanding achievement and thank their staff, coaches, and student-athletes for their continued contribution to our university sport community.”
Bond’s Director of Sport Mike Collins said the UniSport Nationals are always a highly anticipated event on the University calendar.
“At Bond we strive to provide the ultimate student experience and sport has a major role to play in that,” Collins said.
“Our Tier 1 sports and athletes in the Bond Elite Sport Program are given the support and resources required to be the best they can be, and we have achieved unprecedented success this year.
“Beyond that is catering for a vibrant club sport scene, and we are thrilled that has led to another Doug Ellis trophy.
“Finding a balance between academics and sport, whether it is at the elite or recreational level is important and we encourage all students to enjoy the social and wellbeing benefits recreational sport and events such as the UniSport Nationals provides.”
Bond University Club Sport Manager Rebecca Stower said UniSport Nationals always brought out the very best in student spirit and camaraderie.
“The atmosphere at Nationals is something special - competitive, but with an incredible sense of fun and friendship,” Stower said.
“Our students throw themselves into the experience both on and off the field, and the support they show for each other across all sports is what makes it such a memorable week.
“It’s a great reminder that sport at Bond is about connection, energy, and pride as much as performance.”