UniSport Australia representatives elected to international roles at FISU General Assembly

The General Assembly of the International University Sports Federation (FISU)  in Turin, Italy over the weekend has seen two Australians have been elected to pivotal positions in international university sport.

Martin Doulton, UniSport Australia’s International Board Appointed representative and former FISU Oceania President has been independently elected to the FISU Executive Committee for the next four years.

The election sees Doulton become Australia’s first representative on the FISU Executive since Alf Lazer, who sat on the body from 1983 to 2007.

The General Assembly also saw UniSport Australia Chair, David Schmude elected the new FISU Oceania President at the FISU General Assembly, replacing Doulton who has served as President for the past five and a half years.

Schmude took on the role of UniSport Australia Chair in 2018 and is also Chief Executive of Uni Life at the University of New England in Armidale, NSW.

Highlighting that the appointments are indicative of UniSport Australia’s growing stature in international university sport, UniSport Australia Chief Executive, Mark Sinderberry welcomed Doulton’s appointment, stating “Martin’s appointment to the FISU Executive is indicative of his contribution to university sport at Monash University, in Australia, Oceania and internationally over many years. It is tremendous credit to Martin to be elected by FISU general counsel and we wish him all the best.”

Australia has competed in all Summer Universiades since 1967 and won six gold, five silver and six bronze at the 2019 edition in Naples in July.

Established in 1949, FISU is the international body representing university sport globally.

Doulton, a Past-President of Parks and Leisure Australia, received the body's Frank Stewart Distinguished Service Award in 2002.

Image: Martin Doulton (at left) and David Schmude have been elected to key FISU roles. Courtesy of UniSport Australia.