Someone once asked me: “what it was to be an ECU Emu player and why have so many people joined?” In the moment I described an ECU Emu to be a person who wants to play sport and get involved with UNIsport nationals; shortly after I realised this was the wrong response. To be an ECU Emu is so much more, and here’s why.
Being a university student in 2023 isn’t just having to attend classes and write assignments anymore; it is trying to fit in a part-time job to pay rent, trying to find social time with your friends, and trying to keep your fitness up all while trying to live your fullest life.
Describing UNIsport Nationals would follow as, a week-long competition covering a wide range of sports, including basketball, football, tennis, athletics, and many others. The event provides students the opportunity to represent their university and compete against universities from all around Australia. The event finishes by naming the top competitive university in each sport.
So, looking back at the question, my new response is: Playing for the ECU Emus is a great outlet for escaping the pressure that comes with being a student at university. Playing in a team sport on campus allows the combination of fitness, socialising, common goals and excitement to flourish in the one place. On top of this great environment, UNIsport Nationals is a great chance for teams to engage with other universities and compete at a high level. The annual UNIsport event, which takes place over a week and is being held this year on the Gold Coast, will be able to determine the top university in Australia for each sport. I highly encourage you to join our ECU EMU players in 2023!