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Curtin’s Kardas team is counting down to the 2026 Indigenous Nationals, hosted by the University of Newcastle from late June. With training underway and a cultural launch event approaching, the team is ready to showcase their skills and celebrate culture through sport.
As Newcastle hosts the 30th anniversary of the Indigenous Nationals, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the event takes place – the Awabakal and Worimi Peoples – and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
This year, the Kardas will be led by captains Rhiannon Dunn and Santchiago Loberio.
“It’s a privilege to be a part of the Indigenous Nationals community, I am honoured to be the female captain and hope to make a positive contribution” Rhiannon said.
Santchiago added “I’m hoping I can help make this an amazing experience for all members of the team, as I’ve had amazing experiences myself over the last three Indigenous Nationals”.
Held annually, the week-long event brings together Indigenous student-athletes from universities across Australia to compete in a variety of sports. But it’s not just about competition – it’s about community, connection, and celebrating culture through sport.
This year’s Indigenous Nationals will run from 29 June to 3 July.
Tyrell Vidot, a returning athlete, said “I love the atmosphere of the Indigenous Nationals, I am looking forwarding to coming back and representing my mob again, meet other Indigenous people from all over and playing sport with so many new teammates.”
For the Kardas, the nationals are a chance to showcase their skills, represent Curtin with pride and stand strong in culture and community. The 15-strong team will compete in basketball, netball, touch rugby and volleyball.
The Indigenous Nationals, formerly known as the National Indigenous Tertiary Education Student Games (NITESG), has a proud history dating back to 1996. What started as a class project has since grown into one of the country’s most celebrated sporting events for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students.
With training well and truly underway, friendly matches taking place across Curtin, and an upcoming smoking ceremony marking the cultural launch event, the Kardas are ready to perform at their best.
Wishing our Kardas the very best of luck.
Let’s go Kardas! 💛🖤❤️
