Northern University Games start this week on the Sunshine Coast

More than 2,000 student-athletes are visiting the Sunshine Coast this week for the 2016 Northern University Games, hosted by University of the Sunshine Coast (USC).

The 2016 Games are held from 3-7 July and are expected to attract more than 2,000 student-athletes from 11 universities across Queensland and northern New South Wales who will compete in 16 sports for the ultimate title of Games Champion.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said the return of the Northern University Games completes an incredible year of major events on the Sunshine Coast.

“In 2016 the Sunshine Coast are hosting 60 major sporting, music and lifestyle events that are estimated to contribute about $100 million to our region’s economy – almost double last year’s figures,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“We’re very excited to have the Northern University Games on our fantastic schedule of events, we look forward to welcoming officials and students from across Queensland and Northern New South Wales and showing them a great time before, during and after the Games.”

Australian University Sport CEO Don Knapp explained how important the Regional University Games events are in the annual calendar for student-athletes.

“Regional university sporting events provide student-athletes with the opportunity to pursue a dual education and sport pathway, which results in both tertiary qualifications and sport participation at all levels of sport across Australia,” Mr Knapp said.

“Sport programs on campus are proven to contribute toward higher levels of student recruitment, retention, completion of study and employability.”

The University of the Sunshine Coast last hosted the Northern University Games in 2014.

USC Vice Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the university is proud to host the event.

“It gives USC the chance to showcase its world class sports facilities in a way that provides some great sporting and social outcomes for all involved,” Vice Chancellor Professor Hill added.

“There are also career benefits, as participating in events such as these has been found to develop attributes that improve graduate employability.”

The 2016 Northern University Games is one of four Regional Unigames held simultaneously across Australia, with many sports serving as the qualifying competition for the 2016 Australian University Games (25-30 September) in Perth.

The Northern University Games is managed by Australian University Sport (AUS), the governing body of university sport in Australia, and hosted by the University of the Sunshine Coast in partnership with Visit Sunshine Coast and the Sunshine Coast Council.