Australian University Games notches up 21 years with Gold Coast success

The University of Melbourne once again emerged victorious again at the 2013 Australian University Games (AUG), claiming back to back titles of Overall Champion University for 2013 off the back of their win in Adelaide last year.

Held on the Gold Coast, the 21st AUG attracted just under 9,000 student athletes, team managers, staff and volunteers from 41 tertiary institutions across Australia taking part in 31 team and individual sport competitions.

Melbourne secured ten out of the 50 gold medal pennants on offer to be crowned winners over their fierce rivals, Monash University, who came in second place again this year, as they did last year, this time with eight pennants.

Third place again went to 2011 Overall Champions the University of Sydney, with seven pennants. University of Technology Sydney came in fourth place with six pennants which is a most improved position for them in the overall standings just ahead of University of New South Wales in fifth position on four pennants.

The John White Spirit of the Games trophy, which is a trophy awarded to the university that displays good sportsmanship and fair play, was awarded to Queensland University of Technology who brought away their largest team ever to this year's Games and took home two pennants and a number of individual medals across the week.

The winner among the local universities was Bond University which took out the Doug Ellis per capita trophy, which is awarded to the university winning the most pennants per student numbers.

The Australian College of Physical Education came in second place and 2012 per capita winners University of Western Australia came in third this year.

AUG Project Manager Donna Spethman was proud of the event and of the work that her staff and volunteers produced this week, stating "with record numbers of competitors, brilliant weather all week long, an incredible Opening Ceremony on Surfers Paradise beach and high quality competition across a broad range of sports, including a couple of new sports this year, we a proud to have produced such a cracking event that was thoroughly enjoyed by all"

AUG Event venues included:

• The Southport School, which staged swimming, sailing and women's Rugby 7s events

• Owen Park, Southport: mixed tourch rugby

• All Saints Anglican School, Merrimac: fencing

• Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre, Kessels Road, Nathan: athletics

• Mount Warren Sports Centre, Mount Warren Park: Futsal, staged at the AUG for the first time.

Images shows the Mount Warren Sports Centre. 

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