A new partnership will see the main oval at Macquarie University’s sports fields upgraded to elite AFL competition standard, following a $5 million grant from the NSW Government’s Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund.

Together with contributions from AFL NSW/ACT and Redlands School, which will both have non-exclusive access to the oval when not in use by the University, the joint funding will provide our community with a new $7.5 million facility suitable for a variety of sports. The funding will allow major upgrades to existing pavilions, a full upgrade of the playing surface and new lighting to allow for twilight and evening play, further enhancing the recreational facilities available to Macquarie University students and community users.

On 24 November, Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton was joined by New South Wales Minister for Sport, The Hon Alister Henskens SC MP, and Member for Ryde, The Hon Victor Dominello MP, together with City of Ryde Mayor Jordan Lane and representatives from the AFL and Redlands School to announce the partnership and view plans for the facility.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that Macquarie University has long played a role in the provision of sporting facilities in the region, with 750,000 visits by community members each year.

“I am delighted that we are converging around this partnership to support sport and recreation for the benefit of our young sportspeople – both at Macquarie University and the community at large,” Professor Dowton said.

Ms Tiffany Robertson, Head of AFL NSW/ACT, said the new facility would particularly benefit the increasing number of girls and women taking up the sport, with female-friendly facilities a key focus of the planning process.

“Participation in AFL has grown in record numbers in the past decade in NSW, with much of this growth attributed to women and girls,” said Ms Robertson. “The upgrades at Macquarie University achieve a level playing field for all users. This is an exciting project for footballers of all ages and abilities.”

The project is expected to commence in the first half of next year, with work likely to be complete in 2024.

And what did the young Redlands players – who eagerly took on the Minister for Sport in a friendly marking competition – think of the plans for the University’s new facility? A resounding “awesome!”.

Pictured right: Aiming high – Redlands players enjoyed a friendly game of AFL with the Minister for Sport at the funding announcement

On offer from Monday 10  October

• Monday or Tuesday:  mixed Netball at MUSAC – 6pm to 10pm
• Tuesday: 7 a side mixed Soccer – 6pm to 10pm at Macquarie University Sports Fields
• Wednesday: night mixed Touch Football – 6pm to 10pm at Macquarie University Sports Fields/ mixed Volleyball – 6pm to 10pm at MUSAC
• Thursday: Men’s 7 a side Soccer/ Women’s 7 a side Soccer – 6pm to 10pm at Macquarie University Sports Fields
• Friday: mixed Basketball – 6pm to 8pm at MUSAC/ Men’s Basketball – 8pm to 10pm at MUSAC

MUSAC is a proud member of Pride in Sport. MUSAC is open to everyone and if you want to play sport, they have a place for you. For single gender sports and mixed gender on field requirements, all participants are welcome to join in a manner that best reflects their gender identity.  View MUSAC’s sport inclusion policy.

Registrations open on 23 September at 9am.  Indoor sports have limited space and typically sell out quickly. Netball usually sells out within hours.

For more details contact chris.mckibbins@mq.edu.au . To ensure you don’t miss the registration link and any live updates, follow the Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre on Facebook and Instagram. Competition details can also be found here.

Staff and Faculty – MUSAC can invoice departments and help with scheduling to meet earlier game times if required. You can register as a team or an individual.

Dominique (Dom) Dutoit is a member of the Australian Women’s 7s rugby team who won gold, defeating Fiji in the Gold Medal Match 22-12, a sweet victory over the Fijians who ousted them from the Olympic Games in Tokyo last year.  Dom and the Women’s Rugby 7s team previously won the silver medal against New Zealand at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in an epic contest that had to go to extra time. Dom is studying a Bachelor of Media and Communications and is a Professional rugby player in the Australian Women’s 7s rugby team with Rugby Australia.

Image sourced from Dominique Dutoit’s Instagram

Esther (Fan) Qin has now competed at three Commonwealth Games and two Olympic Games. This year in Birmingham, Esther came sixth overall in the Three-metre Springboard. Esther is studying a Bachelor of Arts (English-Chinese Translation) and is a member of the national team for Diving Australia. Esther won gold in the Women’s Three-metre Board Synchronised Diving at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018 and bronze in the Women’s One-Metre Springboard final. She also won gold in the Three-metre Springboard event in Glasgow in 2014. Esther has also competed at two Olympics: last year in Tokyo and Rio in 2016, where she  made the finals of the Three-metre Springboard event.

Macquarie Alumni medal winners

Kiera Austin – Gold Medal with Women’s Netball

Melissa Wu – Gold in the Women’s Synchronised 10-metre Platform Diving

Brittany O’Brien – Silver in the one-metre Springboard Diving

Kianna Elliot – Fourth in Women’s Weightlifting

Cameron McEntyre – Seventh in the Men’s Javelin

All activities are raising awareness and much-needed funds for Tropical Fruits, the LGBTQI+ organisation in Lismore NSW, to assist with their clubhouse flood repairs and rebuild.

Everyone loves cupcakes!

Rainbow cupcakes will be for sale at four locations around campus: Library Café, Esc Cafe, Wally’s Coffee Cart and Crunch Café. They will sell for $4.50 and proceeds will go to Tropical Fruits.

Bring a friend to your MUSAC class

The Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre (MUSAC) will be running special fitness classes in the Poolside Studio on Tuesday 17 May where members can bring a friend (non-members welcome) with you, for a gold coin donation. Dress in your brightest colours and take a selfie at our social media wall. Note: ‘Friend’ spots will be limited to 10-20 depending on class and occupancy. Class capacity in the Poolside Studio will increase from 40 to 60. Proceeds to Tropical Fruits. Non-member friends please register to secure your spot.

Fabulous UBar Drag Bingo

Come celebrate IDAHOBIT with Queer Co and the Ally Network at UBar where the fabulous Conchita Grande will be hosting Drag Bingo! Entry is $5, with the opportunity to win great prizes via bingo, raffles and mini games, and there will also be a silent auction. All proceeds go to Tropical Fruits.

Reserve your spot online.

The first of these exciting pop-up activations will take place in the Central Courtyard next Monday 4 April and will see a Zumba class led by the fabulous Anna Biddiscombe, beginning at 1pm. This is a FREE event, but please register beforehand using the link below.

This class will be a class for everyone, with the emphasis on FUN not fitness. Bring your activewear if you like, but it’s not required – you can simply take off your shoes and join in.

Why not that the opportunity to get your whole team involved in a fun Monday team building activity? There will be mystery prizes up for grabs for the team with the highest number of participants.

Register now.

If you’re looking for a friendly gym with no joining fees or lock-in contracts and that is very conveniently located to work, then look no further than the north-western corner of the campus! Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre (MUSAC) is open to everybody – students, alumni, staff, and the wider community. The centre is run by Campus Life, a university-owned business entity that re-invests any profits back into the University for the benefit of staff and students.

The centre sets itself apart with both an indoor 25m pool and outdoor 50m pool for members to use, as well as a variety of group fitness classes and access to other facilities and sports programs. However, the really exciting news is about the recent upgrades that have been made to the equipment in the Health Club, meaning now is the time to start a new routine.

So, what’s new?

The Health Club at MUSAC has invested close to $1 million in the latest high-tech equipment with increased offerings across all equipment types to ensure there is something for everybody. From a cardio perspective they have increased their range of treadmills to four elite models, added 27 industry-leading spin bikes with improved in-built tracking and completed a Concept2 hub with RowErgs, SkiErgs and BikeErgs. All the new cardio equipment also features wireless phone charging and Bluetooth pairing for devices such as headphones, Apple/Android watches and heart rate monitors.

If strength training is what you’re looking for in a gym, Health Club members can now enjoy three indoor lifting platforms, dedicated glute and hip developer machines, all barbell benches now including breakers and a range of and built-for-purpose athletic lifting pieces. There is also an exciting new sled track running the length of the cardio zone that forms the centre piece their new small group training program ‘MAC40’.

With the University’s increased focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, the newly rebranded Women’s Training Zone has been relocated to wrap around the Cycle Studio. This has increased the floor space, while also providing users an increased variety of equipment and more privacy. The strength equipment features smart tech screens that allow users to log in and track workouts and view instructional videos.

Don’t just take our word for it

We sent Chris Mackinlay, Senior Asset Manager in the Property team, and long-time gym-goer, to road test the Health Club experience. As a member of MUSAC for more than six years, Chris was certainly keen to see how the new equipment was going to help him get back into his routine:

Following a long period on-and-off Campus due to COVID-19, I knew I had to re-establish my healthy morning routine. We’re all probably a little guilty of letting some bad lockdown habits emerge. Guilty as charged. But with news that the team at Campus Life and MUSAC had been working on the installation of brand-new smart-technology cardio and weights equipment in the gym, I knew the return to campus presented the perfect opportunity to get back into the swing of things.

Having seen the social media updates that the new equipment was now available, I knew now was time to act. When Monday morning arrived, I wanted to start my first week back on campus in the right mindset, and for me that meant a gym session.

After QR checking-in and being welcomed by the friendly reception staff, I headed down to the gym floor to be greeted with all new smart-technology equipment and a revised gym floor layout. 

The new equipment is sleek – black with orange highlights, and large 24-inch display screens complete with social media and streaming apps – and easily syncs to my Apple Watch to track my steps and calories burned. The synch with Apple watch is easy, the quality of the screen is a massive improvement over the last model. The variety of work outs and feedback from the machines was also exciting.

The Cardio Theatre contains all sorts of equipment: treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machines and ellipticals – and I noticed that the ‘Spin’ studio had new bikes as well. Note to self: Book into a class for later this week! After completing my cardio session, I scoot over to the free weights section, past the new blue sled track, to complete my workout.

The new internal layout is balanced with a revised outdoor set up, which accommodates a full range of exercises, and several pieces of new equipment that I haven’t seen before. The ever-helpful Health Club floor staff were on hand to explain the new equipment to me, and how it can complement my workout – and making sure I stay on top of my technique. (Thanks, Nick!)

With my workout now complete, it’s time to shower and change before the short walk across campus to the Property office – but not without a quick pit stop at Crunch Café to pick up my flat white – and then back to do it all again tomorrow morning.

I’m so glad to be back into my routine after an extended period away. Being on Campus, the gym is very practical for me as I like to work out in the morning before work. The best things about it are the extended opening hours, great equipment that is maintained and updated regularly, friendly staff and coffee on the way out!

Check it out for yourself

MUSAC’s focus is on providing an inclusive and enjoyable space for everyone, no matter the level of ability or fitness backgrounds – and the staff are there to start (or guide) you on your health and fitness journey. As a staff member, there’s even an option to salary sacrifice your membership. So if, like Chris, you’re keen to re-establish a routine, now is the perfect time to check out their website, or drop by and visit the new facilities and equipment in person.

Softballer Rachel Lack was among the first international athletes to arrive in Japan, with the Australian women’s team having been isolating at their base just outside Tokyo since June.

“It still makes my heart beat a little harder thinking about the moment when I found out I was going to the Games,” Rachel says. “The atmosphere here is definitely building and we’re all pretty excited.”

Amy Ridley will be representing Australia in the Paralympics Goal Ball event and agrees that the atmosphere leading up to the games has been electrifying.

“I’m not even sure how to express it – it’s amazing,” she says. “Being selected and having the opportunity to compete at the highest level – it’s beyond words. Whatever happens in Tokyo will be an incredible experience.”

Diver Fan (Esther) Qin will be competing at her second Olympics, having made the finals of the 3m springboard event at Rio 2016 and winning gold for Australia at the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

“I’m super excited to be selected for Tokyo,” she says. “Each Games is special and unique in its own way and we had to wait an extra year for this one, so it definitely means a lot to me to be part of this team.”

Pete Boyle, CEO of Campus Life, says the students embody the University’s student success mission.

“Macquarie is proud to support elite athletes through our sports scholars program, which allows them to combine achievement in high performance sport with a tertiary education,” he says.

“Every day, these student athletes show us what hard work and dedication looks like – spending hours training before and after their classes, or completing assignments in the back of a bus while travelling for competitions.

“They are an inspiration to us all and I’m sure the whole University will be cheering on them on with great pride.”

Look out for these Macquarie sports stars when you watch or stream the Olympics (23 July to 8 August) and the Paralympics (24 August to 5 September).

Current student James Boyer has also been selected as an official in the Basketball event.

The annual Australian Pride in Sport Awards on 13 April saw the nation’s leading sporting bodies gather to celebrate those organisations that go above and beyond to increase LGBTQ inclusivity in their operations and programs.

Macquarie University has been a proud member of Pride in Sport since 2019, and reached silver status in 2020. And at this year’s awards Macquarie achieved an amazing double.

Not only did we receive Achievement Award for Most Improved Sporting Organisation, but we are now one of only five organisations – including Cricket Australia and Tennis Australia – to be classified as a Gold Tier Organisation.

Pete Boyle, CEO of Campus Life, says he could not be more proud of the Macquarie University Sport team.

“To be one of only five organisations to achieve Gold, is massive achievement for the University,” he says. “It speaks to the strength of our commitment to ensure that sport is available to all, and that everyone in our Macquarie Community can lead happy, healthy and active lives, while being exactly who they are.”

As an urban ecologist, Dr Lizzy Lowe says she’s “fascinated by the ability of some species to thrive in highly modified environments”. So, who better to test out the Sport and Aquatic Centre’s children’s gymnastics program with her own cute little critters, Andrew (age four) and Riley (age two).

Here’s the Superstar of STEM’s review. You can also find her latest article on The Conversation: It’s getting hotter, so spiders are emerging. Should I be alarmed?

“We signed up for gymnastics classes for the exact opposite reasons for each kid. Andrew was very timid and reluctant to try things and Riley would throw himself into everything, frequently jumping off the highest places possible with no regard for his abilities. So, we were hoping the kids would meet somewhere in the middle! We wanted them to gain confidence in their abilities and to learn the limits of their little bodies.

Both kids were very excited to start the classes. We started just after lockdown, so there were not too many kids in the class and both kids settled in really quickly. I was actually very surprised that Andrew was confident to do things without me in the first session, and he tried everything from the word go.

Progress was a bit slower with Riley. He just ADORED the classes but had trouble listening (which is pretty normal for a two year old!) and would mostly run around exploring.

But after the first few sessions, Coach Maddy and I started noticing a real change. He got better at watching the circuit instructions and would try really hard to do the allocated activities. Within a few sessions he went from completely free play to completing around 25 per cent of the instructions and after one full semester is listening and paying attention for over half the time, so I think that is amazing!

Andrew often tells his friends about things he has learnt in gymnastics class and I’ve noticed that he is much more confident in trying more adventurous things at the playground, and in trying things more than once if it doesn’t work the first time.

We really love the environment of the gymnastics classes, from the activities to the music and the great teachers and we hope to be attending classes for many years to come!”

The Sport and Aquatic Centre runs a variety of children’s gymnastics programs during school terms and in the school holidays. And why should kids have all the fun? There’s evening adult classes too.

Over the past five decades, Blues have been awarded for outstanding achievement in university sport. The award exemplifies the extraordinary level of sporting brilliance and university contribution at Macquarie and is an honour that becomes the highlight of many sporting careers.

2020 will see 11 outstanding young athletes rewarded with a Blue and further 11 with a Half Blue. Due to COVID-19, the Blues and Sports Awards have been postponed to 2021 and student-athletes will be presented with their blazer next year.

To receive a Blue, student-athletes not only need to be top of their chosen sport (whether that be representing Australia or being a professional athlete)

They must also have contributed significantly to the University – whether that be MCing an event or appearing on a panel, coaching, talking to prospective students, engaging with high school students in Widening Participation initiatives,  or working with our Indigenous unit Walanga Muru.

Blue winner and Australian Men’s Hockey representative Thomas Craig says most of Macquarie’s sports scholars take every opportunity they can to ‘pay it back’ to the University.

“My training commitments keep me in Perth most of the time, but whenever I’m in Sydney, I make sure to get stuck in and help out in whatever capacity I can.

“Attending events and talking about my positive experience at Macquarie across both my studies and sport is something I love doing. ”

We congratulate all successful 2020 Blue and Half Blue recipients and are immensely proud of each one of them.

Blue

Keira Austin (netball)
Bachelor of Medical Science

Ella Beere (kayaking)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

Ewan Belgrove (powerlifting)
Bachelor of Information Technology with a Major in Cyber Security

Thomas Craig (hockey)
Bachelor of Laws

Sarah Harrison (dragon boating)
Bachelor of International Studies/ Bachelor of Law

Oscar Jones (ocean ski)
Bachelor of Biodiversity and Conservation

Hojabr Kakavand (taekwondo)
Doctor of Medicine

Jayden Prakash (basketball)
Doctor of Physiotherapy

Madeleine Proud (netball)
Master of Creative Writing

Carla Tremolada (trampoline)
Master of Chiropractic

Robert Tuliatu (rugby league)
Bachelor of Arts with Bachelor of Laws

Half Blue

Rachel Baird (Dragon Boating)
Morgan Blamey (Hockey)
Erin Bofinger (Fencing)
Coco Dulhunty (Equestrian)
Trudy Green (Hockey)
Joshua Ip (Table Tennis)
Rachel Lack (Softball)
Cameron McEntyre (Athletics – Javelin)
Benjamin McManus (Canoe Slalom)
Joya Nicolas (Tennis)
Michael Potter (Cycling)