Welcome to 2020.
As we gear up for the year ahead, we reflect on the decade past by spotlighting standout moments from the last 10 years. From first-time championships to major capital works; four National University titles and two Olympic games, we’ve seen milestones and achievements aplenty which points to not only a tradition of success, but great promise for the future.
Two Olympic & Paralympic Campaigns | 2012 & 2016
For most athletes the Summer Olympic Games are the pinnacle – the apex of their sporting goals; a competition reserved for the best of the best which takes place only every four years. The dream of representing Australia at the Olympics became a reality for over 50 members of our community twice over the last decade. The University added 24 Olympians and seven Paralympians to the Australian team for the 2012 London Games, followed by 27 Olympians and six Paralympians four years later at the 2016 Games in Rio. In London, our athletes added one gold, three silver and four bronze medals to Australia’s tally (placing the University equal 38th in the world if we were a country), and one gold, two silver and one bronze medal in Rio (placing us 45th in the world if we were a country).* Not included in this count are the hard-fought medals won at the Paralympic Games with seven athletes winning a total of six medals in 2012 and six athletes competing in 2016 to take home three.^
For these few Olympic weeks in 2012 and 2016, the University of Sydney’s sporting community was electric with excitement, pride and passion, forming two pivotal moments of the decade we won’t be forgetting any time soon.
Four National University Titles | 2011, 2014, 2015 & 2019
Nationals, formerly known as Australian University Games, gives universities across the country the opportunity to compete in a fierce intercollegiate sports competition. Over the last decade, the University of Sydney has won a whopping four of these annual events, crowned overall champions in 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2019 – more wins than any other University. Being crowned Australia’s top University sports program is no easy feat with hundreds of academic-athletes proving the quality and commitment of the student cohort at Sydney Uni.
Flames Win First Championship | 2017
It was a win 16 years in the making achieved for the first time by the Sydney Uni-based Flames, claiming the highest accolade in Australian women’s basketball – the WNBL championship. Finishing the regular season three wins clear at the top of the standings, the Flames had a stellar season with two players named in the All-Star Five, Cheryl Chambers awarded Coach of the Year and a TV deal with Fox Sports Australia announced at the end of the season to mark the return of women’s basketball to television screens across the country. “I can tell you our players and fans alike are still walking on air at being crowned 2016-17 Champions,” Flames General Manager, Karen Dalton said.
Decade of Development
The 2010s were demarcated by highly successful capital projects, beginning with the major extension of the Sports & Aquatic Centre, which opened in 2013. The expansion included the building of a home for the Brydens Sydney Uni Flames (Brydens Stadium) plus a second multi-purpose court, a group fitness studio, boxing gymnasium and dojo. This colossal project was one of the biggest developments of the decade, but not the only one:
Sydney University Football Ground (formerly known as No. 2 Oval) officially opened in April, 2016 and includes a grandstand viewing platform, two-level high-performance strength and conditioning gym, function room and adjacent bar area, change rooms, medical rooms and more.
The Thyne Reid Boatshed at Burns Bay, Lane Cove, was officially opened in May 2017, more than 11 years after the previous boatshed, which served for 42 years, was destroyed by fire in March 2006. The Boatshed is now home to Sydney University Boat Club.
The Bruce Pyror Hockey Field continues to earn praise as the best hockey playing surface in Sydney. The field, named after club stalwart Bruce Pryor, is located at the University of Sydney’s Cumberland Campus and officially opened in October 2017.
A 350m² gym extension was unveiled at the Sports & Aquatic Centre in February 2018 with a functional training zone, sled track and new equipment added for gold and silver gym members to enjoy.
First Double Australian Boat Race Victory | 2017
The University of Sydney men’s and women’s crews rowed to victory in the 2017 Australian Boat Race with the women’s eight breaking Melbourne’s eight-year hold on the trophy. Sydney University Boat Club’s women’s eight made history in downing the eight-time defending champions, Melbourne University Boat Club, going on to win every title since, alongside the men.
15,000 Members | 2019
A milestone if we’ve ever seen one! Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness celebrated cracking 15,000 members in March 2019, covering our active gym-goers, club members and program users. Thank you for helping us achieve this milestone – it was the cherry on top of a spectacular decade.
