Clinton Walsh signed up to coach Bond University’s UniSport Indigenous Nationals squad — but in many ways, he became the student.
Student athletes such as Morgan Sexton showed him a balance between meaningful connection and fierce competition he hadn’t experienced in other university sports.
He’s been inspired by former NRL star and alumni Ryan James’ returning to Bond to compete with the team - a selfless commitment to his community he’s found to be commonplace among the staff and students of the Nyombil Centre.
And the care and guidance offered to the University’s Indigenous staff and students by elder Uncle John Graham and the reverence with he is held in return was enlightening.
What started as a one-off coaching gig in 2023 has turned into something far more meaningful: a deep, ongoing connection with Bond’s Indigenous community and a genuine appreciation for the culture, stories and spirit of the students he's been privileged to guide.
As Bond University Student Association’s Sport Vice President, Walsh was a key driver in the University’s return to the UniSport Indigenous Nationals in 2023 after a nine-year absence.
This week he is packing his bags for Perth after accepting an offer to coach at his second games.
“My goal when I was in the BUSA role was to take an Indigenous team down to Uni Nationals and it evolved into me coaching the side in 2023 as well,” he said.
“From that opportunity I began to tutor some Indigenous students on a regular basis, and I’m still tutoring some students that were on that team that competed in Melbourne.
“So, my connections with the Nyombil Centre grew from there and when they decided to send a team to Perth this year, they asked me to coach again. And I was happy to put my hand up again.”
And the 22-year-old freely admits that while he leads the group from the sideline, they have taken him on a journey just as educational as the many hours he has spent in Bond University lecture theatres.
“It’s definitely a very insightful experience because I guess I didn’t have a lot of knowledge or understanding of Indigenous culture and Indigenous people,” Walsh said.
“I have loved hearing everyone’s stories and learning about what Mob they are from. It’s a great inclusive culture and what struck me about it two years ago was how everyone was so welcoming. It was competitive and everyone was there to win, but athletes were taking time to talk to their opponents and make connections — and everyone always seemed to have a cousin who lived in the same place as someone else or some other sort of connection.
“And I just found there was a greater sense of togetherness that I guess you don’t get at other UniSport Nationals.”
Walsh’s time at Bond University has been jam packed. He is in the final semester of a double degree in Law and Actuarial Sciences, has served his time at BUSA and as a student advocacy officer, was a student advisor for UniSport Nationals and played just about every sport on offer including the Movember 60km charity runs.
And while coaching the Indigenous Nationals was never part of his plan, it’s now something he’s deeply proud to be part of.
“100%, I would never have thought that I’d be doing this and I’m very grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to try and coach people in the four different sports — and for some people that honestly have never played some of the sports,” he says.
“So, it’s been very good to have been involved with the Indigenous community here at Bond and I’m glad that hasn’t been a one-off. I’ve been able to stay involved and put my energy into one specific thing with the coaching, but also other things like the tutoring that are related — so I’m very happy for that.
“I’m also thrilled that we’re sending a team again because I think before we did it two years ago, it hadn’t been done in about nine years. So, I’m glad to see a bit more frequency from what we did two years ago.”
Meet the Players
Jazmin Grant
Bachelor of Laws and International Relations
Team Captain
Is this your first Indigenous Uni Games?
Yes, this is my first Uni Games.
What sport do you specialise in?
I’m looking forward to all the games, but I love a bit of netball — yeah, netball is my thing.
How did the captaincy come about?
I'm currently the Bond University's First Nations Director, so that obviously led into it a bit. But there wasn't a vote. It was kind of just from coaches and players’ perspectives — who they think is best.
And who's the wild card amongst the squad who might light up the tournament?
I think look out for Paddy Bassani in touch footy. There’s some huge potential there.
Morgan Sexton
Master of Business
Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Accounting)
Team Captain
You’re the veteran of the team?
Yeah, I went away in 2023 down to Monash and that was cold! I think it will be a lot milder in Perth, which is great. I’m actually excited for a little bit of warmer weather.
It was a really good time last time, though. We all competed hard and I’m hoping to carry that same attitude over into this year.
Which discipline do you think Bond will be strongest in?
I think touch football is going to be our strong suit. Paddy is a gun, and I think we're going to do really well at touch.
But don’t be surprised if we do really well in the others too.
And who’s bringing the most personality to the squad?
Oh, that’s tough. I think we all put a lot of personality in this one.
I’m a bit of a yapper though, so I’m going to have to say me.
What can people expect from the experience?
A lot of community and a lot of fun — but it is definitely competitive first.
It might be seen as a social comp, but there is a lot of competitiveness too.
It’s a big fun week. Everyone gets to know each other, and there are a few intra-university rivalries. It’s a shame Griffith isn’t going this year.
It’s always a good fun week and everyone is there to have a good time at the end of it — but don’t be surprised if it gets competitive too.
Tarren Boyce
Double degree in Business and International Relations
Vice-Captain
What are your expectations for the Games?
Well, I’m really excited because I’ve only just met all of these girls and boys, and I feel like it’s going to be a great time to get to know them a little bit better — get to know other unis and other people.
And for the events themselves?
And I’m a very competitive person, so I’d like to go over and win!
What sport are we strongest in?
Ooh, we looked really good in basketball, but I think we also looked really good in volleyball.
So I think those are going to be two of our strongest ones.
But also I feel like touch — because we’ve got a lot of rugby boys that play with us.
So I think we’ve got to be good at everything! I feel like it’s going to be a good week.
Who’s the star of the show?
I think we’re all good in our respective sports.
Morgan is insane at basketball, and some of the girls are crazy good at netball.
So I think we’re all a bit of a star of the show.