Twelve University of Tasmania students competed in the 30th UniSport Indigenous Nationals, which ran from 29 June to 3 July on Awabakal and Worimi Country at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales.
The competition brought together Indigenous student-athletes from universities across Australia to compete, connect, and celebrate culture through sport. The event featured a mixed competition across four sports: touch football, basketball, netball, and volleyball.
University of Tasmania Sport, in partnership with the Riawunna Centre for Aboriginal Education, works each year to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to attend and compete at the event.
Adding to this year’s significance, Pakana woman and University of Tasmania alumna Nikki Sainty designed the official artwork for the 2026 Indigenous Nationals uniforms. Nikki graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Geography and Environment) in 2025 but included in her degree fine arts subjects.
Her design was proudly worn by University of Tasmania student-athletes as a visual representation of culture, identity, and connection to Country throughout the competition.
Here we share a Q&A with Nikki on her experience at the Indigenous Nationals and her inspiration behind the University of Tasmania uniforms:
Can you share the meaning and inspiration behind the uniform artwork?
This design is inspired by the knowledge we learn about our culture and how we share this knowledge with others. The three separate designs create a journey of gaining and sharing this knowledge. The green design is the path we take on country with our elders. Our footsteps start small, and as they continue, become bigger to represent our physical and knowledge growth. The second design, with a purple centre surrounded by water, is the journey we take on country alone – the time we spend finding our own knowledge through the ferns and reflecting on what we have learnt from our elders. The final design is surrounded by bubbleweed, an important aspect of our culture. The centre is a collection of foot tracks intertwined with eucalyptus leaves. These tracks are a representation of the journey we take while sharing knowledge with others, specifically the friends we make at Indigenous Nationals. Each mob, family and individual has their own stories and connections, and how lucky are we to gain this knowledge through life and have the opportunity to share it with the inspirational people we meet at Indigenous Nationals?
How does your Indigenous identity and connection to Country influence your creative work?
I have a strong passion for environmental management and hiking on country. These journeys directly inspire the memories that are created in my art, the patterns I observe and the colours I work with. My family’s work and passion in the Aboriginal community towards art has always been a leading influence for my passion. They’re strong, incredible people sharing our story all over the world, helping to educate others on our amazing culture.
What does being involved in this project, and contributing to Indigenous Nationals, mean to you personally?
I am so proud to contribute my love of art, and the memories I have formed from Indigenous Nationals to this project. After competing at Indigenous Nationals for three years, including co-captaining in Wollongong – which included a week of playing netball, basketball, touch football and volleyball – it felt like my next project should be to contribute to the team and reflect on my time. I love encouraging mob to be excited, proud and loud about our culture, and Indigenous Nationals is an incredibly safe space to do this. I will forever support such an incredible event.
Can you describe your relationship with UTAS and how it has shaped your journey since graduating?
During my studies at UTAS, I was constantly blown away by the passion and expertise of several of my lecturers. They inspired and encouraged me to continue research outside of class, and experiment with my electives in printmaking and fine arts. My experience with Nipaluna/ Hobart’s fine arts classes is a pivotal moment in understanding where I wanted to push my career. Working with intelligent staff and creative individuals was my favourite memory of UTAS.
Since graduating, I have had an incredible time working with UTAS on multiple projects. I love sharing my culture, especially through art. It’s so important we continually have strong representation of Aboriginal culture at UTAS
What do you hope students feel or take from wearing this design while competing at Indigenous Nationals?
My hope is that each student is proud to tell others about the uniform they’re wearing, excited to share their own personal stories of their time spent in Lutruwita, and be proud to share their connection to their country. Most of all I want them to reflect about their knowledge and share it with mob.
Image credit: Peter W Allen
Image top right: Nikki Sainty
This article featured in the monthly eNews Alumni and Friends. If you are a member of the University of Tasmania community and would like to receive this publication, please provide or update your email address.