Indigenous Students vs Staff Basketball Match brings community together
Western Sydney University hosted its annual Indigenous Students vs Staff Basketball Match on Friday, 26 September at the Hills Basketball Stadium, drawing a lively crowd of students, staff, and community members.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership, Professor Michelle Trudgett, led the cheer squad from the grandstands, keeping energy high throughout the match, while Vice-Chancellor and President, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, also attended to show support for both teams.
The staff team, captained by Kristy Bell, and many others from across the University. The student team featured undergraduate and postgraduate students from a wide range of schools and disciplines, led by captain Ace De Vera.
The game was tightly contested, but the student team secured the win, 55 to 50, marking their third consecutive victory in the University’s basketball match series. The Best & Fairest Player award went to Caleb Kennedy for the Students team and Kristy Bell for the Staff team.
Ryan Blake, a member of the student team and Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine)/Doctor of Medicine (MD) student, said the match highlighted the strong sense of belonging fostered through the Badanami Centre and across the University.
“I think it’s so important to have an event like this. It really builds off the tight community we have here at Western through Badanami. There’s nothing wrong with a little rivalry between mob. This was my first time playing a staff vs students match!” said Ryan.
“I really believe that through our competitive nature and friendly banter we can laugh alongside each other, and that just makes us even closer. It really shines a spotlight on the fact that our stories and journeys can be shared through any medium imaginable. Connecting with people from culture is truly how we learn and evolve. It makes me so proud to be Indigenous.”
Ayla Hibbert, also on the student team and a Bachelor of Social Work student at the Liverpool City campus, said the game created opportunities to strengthen connections between students and staff.
“This match brings us closer by encouraging us to work toward a common goal and having fun while doing it. Seeing staff as people instead of just teachers helps build rapport and trust, which makes it easier to seek support when needed,” said Ayla.
“It was great to see everyone laughing and having fun together. Students and staff really got to connect in a way you don’t usually see in class.”
Despite the fiercely contested competition, the match also featured plenty of light-hearted moments, including players breaking into the “shake a leg” dance, adding to the atmosphere of fun and camaraderie.
The event was proudly hosted by the Division of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership. It was supported by the University’s Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education, which provides academic, cultural and personal engagement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across Western Sydney University.
ENDS
1 October 2025
Photo credit: Sally Tsoutas
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