Monash Unversity to represent FISU Oceania at 3x3 Basketball World University League

Student-athletes from Monash University will represent FISU Oceania at the upcoming International University Sports Federation (FISU) 3x3 Basketball World University League.

The competition will be held from 14-17 September in Xiamen, China, and marks the fifth phase of a qualification pathway which saw student-athletes from across Australia compete in intervarsity, regional and national competitions.

The Monash University women’s team progressed through all stages of the national competition at the Gold Coast’s Pacific Fair Shopping Centre in August to earn the right to represent FISU Oceania at the World University League.

Australian University Sport CEO Don Knapp said the international trip to China adds another dimension to the range of multisport events already on offer to Australian universities and their student-athletes.

“A key aim of Australian University Sport is to enable student-athletes to participate in competitive sport at regional, national and international levels through a dual career education and sport pathway,” Mr Knapp said.

“The FISU 3x3 Basketball World University League is the perfect way to celebrate international rivalry and sport participation opportunities by providing student-athletes with the chance to qualify and represent FISU Oceania.”

President of FISU Oceania Martin Doulton commended Australian University Sport for putting on an innovative, high quality and very public showcase for the FISU Oceania qualifying tournament.

“The very idea of bringing the competition out of a cold lonely sports hall into the middle of one of Australia's busiest shopping centres highlighted the innovative nature of Australian University Sport and sets the benchmark for future qualifiers for similar FISU Oceania tournaments to follow,” Mr Doulton said.

Lucy Dawson, Head of Delegation and a member of the Monash University bronze medal winning 3x3 team from the 2015 World University League, said the team is excited at the prospect of once again playing against international-level talent.

“You can expect Monash University will be a well drilled, hard-nosed and determined opponent on the court in Xiamen, and we're really looking forward to the challenge," Ms Dawson said.