Find new friends and build lifetime bonds with Western Sydney University Sport

Co-Captains of the Western Sydney University mixed oztag team, Amber Frost (right) and Sarah Blair (left).

Western Sydney University Sports Captain for 2024, Amber Frost, credits team sports and student sport clubs as the key to meeting likeminded people and settling into university life at Western.

The Bachelor of Arts (Pathways to Teaching Secondary) student says that sport and being an athlete have always been a huge part of her life, shaping who she is both physically and mentally.

“I’m extremely grateful for team sports growing up, and now as a student at Western, for introducing me to the people I have in my life,” said Amber.

“I love how sport brings people together from different backgrounds, ages, experiences and talents, and forges new friendships that never would have existed.”

For Amber, her involvement in team sports has taught her how to work with others, handle challenges, and push through adversity, which has helped her succeed in other areas of her life.

Deciding to follow her passion of becoming a teacher, Amber enrolled into Western Sydney University when she was 21 years old, with positive student experiences and an active campus culture being important to her decision in choosing Western for her university journey.

“Western is my local university and it achieves high rankings academically every year. I had also heard good things about the campus culture and extracurricular activities at Western which was a deciding factor for me,” said Amber.

“Growing up in Australia, where sport is so integrated into the culture, I’ve always been involved in team sports, and that’s given me a sense of community and belonging.

“I have participated in just about every sports event that Western has to offer over the last few years, which definitely made me a candidate for Sports Captain. Without getting involved, meeting new people, and making new connections, I would never have had this student leadership opportunity.”

Amber and her mixed oztag team won the gold medal at UniSport Nationals 2024 held in Canberra.

Amber has represented the Western Sydney University Ducks at UniSport Nationals for the last three years and has participated in Western’s Campus of Origin and other intervarsity events playing Softball, Touch Football, and Oztag.

She became Western’s female Sports Captain in 2024 and won gold medals at UniSport Nationals in 2023 and 2024 as part of Western’s Oztag teams competing against other university teams from around Australia.

“I found my experience as a Sports Captain to be super enjoyable. Western is lucky to have such dedicated sports staff that really allow all campus athletes to have every opportunity to get involved and excel in their sport, and to try other sports,” said Amber.

“Uni Games is always a fun experience. It’s a great way to make new friends, experience a new environment, play elite sport and make new memories.”

For Amber, sport isn’t just about fitness; it’s about teamwork, discipline, and a lifestyle that keeps her happy, motivated, and allows her to maintain balance in her life.

“University can be stressful with studies, but having sport as an outlet keeps me grounded, helps me stay healthy, and creates friendships outside of academic pressures. It’s also important to me because I want to keep the sense of camaraderie and competition alive even as I focus on my studies,” she said.

“I am lucky that a lot of my friends are people that I have met through sport in some way, particularly Uni Sport. They all understand the highs and lows of being an athlete and can identify the physical and mental challenges that come with it, and how to help.”

Known for her infectious enthusiasm on the field and on the sidelines with loud cheers of encouragement for everyone around her, Amber is a great team player who gets so much enjoyment out of seeing other people, particularly her friends, succeed.

“I don’t think I will ever be the most talented athlete on a field or court, but I will always have the most energy. It’s so important for me to support everyone, both on and off the field, to make others feel appreciated, seen and loved,” she said.

“You should always celebrate even the smallest of wins – whether it’s making a good run, scoring a try, or even just keeping your head up after an error. Nothing in Uni Sport is ever serious enough to let it get you down.”

To get involved in Western Sydney University Sport, including Western’s Elite Athlete Program, student sports clubs, social sports, representative sports and intervarsity events, click here.

ENDS

25 February 2025

Danielle Aiken, Media Officer

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