Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor go head to head in penalty shootout for Western Sydney University Giving Day

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Parramatta’s iconic CommBank Stadium will be the backdrop for an all-star penalty shootout involving local sport stars, staff, students and University leaders – one of many fun activities  planned to celebrate Western Sydney University’s Giving Day, on Wednesday 1 December.

Giving Day is a 24-hour campaign celebrating the impact of philanthropy at Western Sydney University, and is the University’s flagship fundraising event, bringing together students, staff and alumni to support the University’s transformational educational and research initiatives.

The day will begin with the Giving Day Walk – an adventurous 15km challenge commencing from Lake Parramatta at 7.30am. The walk will wind its way through Parramatta Park to CommBank Stadium, then on to the Parramatta CBD and along Parramatta River, finishing at the University’s Parramatta South campus.

The much-anticipated Chancellor’s Challenge will involve an ultra-competitive penalty shootout between ‘Team Chancellor’ captained by Professor Peter Shergold AC and ‘Team Vice-Chancellor’ captained by Professor Barney Glover AO at the Stadium.

Team Chancellor will be raising funds for Indigenous scholarships, while Team Vice-Chancellor will be raising money to support integrative health research at the University. Each team will comprise staff, alumni, donors, students and sporting and media celebrities, including journalist and media personality, Sandra Sully, Wests Tigers player, Oliver Gildart, and NSW Swifts player and University alumna, Paige Hadley.

Chancellor, Professor Peter Shergold AC, said he was more than keen to pull on a jersey and lead a team in the soccer shootout challenge.

“Giving Day is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Western Sydney University as a world-class teaching and research institution and its long and proud history serving the people of Greater Western Sydney,” said Professor Shergold AC.

“I have no doubt that ‘Team Shergie’ will be in fine form, kicking plenty of goals to raise funds for Indigenous scholarships, which we know transform lives and enable students to reach their full potential. I warmly invite our friends and supporters to join with us this Giving Day to help us continue our important mission – together, we can make a difference.”

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO, said he is looking forward to  seeing some fancy footwork and friendly on-field banter between Team Chancellor and Team Vice-Chancellor – all in the name of great causes.

“Without doubt, one of the highlights of Giving Day will be the Chancellor’s Challenge. I am looking forward to our respective teams taking to the pitch and putting their impressive soccer skills to the test. I am confident my team will kick even more goals in the name of integrative health research – and win,” said a smiling Professor Glover.

To learn more about Western Sydney University’s Giving Day or to donate, please visit the Giving Day website (opens in a new window).

ENDS

1 December 2021

Amanda Whibley, Manager, Media & Public Relations

Photo credit: Sally Tsoutas