2026 UniSport Nationals Competitors
UC’s Own – Our UniSport Nationals Competitors
UC’s Twin-Ticket to Gold
A team since the day they met, identical twins Erin and Hannah Blundell have always played sport together. Whether it was Netball, League Tag, Tennis or OzTag, they’ve taken every opportunity to stay active and competitive – together.
They started playing OzTag at school back in Grafton, and they’ve loved the sport ever since.
“We got hooked straight away,” Erin said. “We enjoyed it a lot and eventually earned selection in school representative teams.”
Their experience gives them a significant advantage leading into the 2026 UniSport Nationals. When asked about their biggest advantage on the field, Erin was certain of “[their] ability to play off each other naturally, back each other up or kick the ball into open space, knowing the other one will be there to scoop it up.” A kind of synergy that is rare, even in world-class athletes.
“People often call it our ‘twin telepathy’,” Hannah continued, “We read each other exceptionally well on the field. Some people don’t even realise there are two of us on the field until we shake hands at the end of the game.”
While they are fiercely competitive, Erin and Hannah aren’t motivated by accolades.
“We’ve played in the last two winter social seasons of OzTag at UC. Our favourite part is the teamwork and the people.” Much of their love of the game comes from passion and care for their team, and the community. “OzTag has introduced us to so many new friends.”
Whether you’re looking for something serious or social, there is a UC sporting club for you! It’s never too late to try something new – don’t hesitate to reach out.
As for Erin and Hannah, “being able to play a sport we love while building those connections is what keeps us coming back.”
After their past successes, joining the 2026 UniSport Nationals team seemed to be a natural next step.
“Neither of us have been to Perth before, so we’re excited to visit somewhere new and experience everything the city has to offer.”
And if anyone had any doubt, they have warned the competition that they are ready for whatever comes next: “Our goal is to give it everything we’ve got. We want to walk away knowing we gave it our all and made the most of every moment, both on and off the field.”
The best part? You can do it, too! If you want to compete alongside family, or friends who might as well be family, it’s never too late to represent UC together – UniSport Nationals 2027 is just around the corner!
Pictured: Erin (left) and Hannah (right) Blundell, from their 2025 season with the West Belconnen Warriors
The Fighting Spirit of the Sword – UC’s UniSport Nationals Campaign to bring Kendo into the Mainstream
Sometimes, a sword is the best solution to your problems. In the case of finding an inclusive and exciting way to stay fit, healthy, and competitive, Yimao Liu has proven the way of the sword as a means of showcasing the best that kendo has to offer.
In her first showing at the 2025 UniSport Nationals competition, Yimao won a bronze medal in women’s dan and was the recipient of the competition’s fighting spirit award – already proving herself to be a fierce competitor.
However, her path to success hasn’t always been an easy one. When asked about her experiences, it became clear that finding a passion in sport required her to find a martial art that was both fun and inclusive.
“I was always interested [in martial arts].” Yimao said. “I tried two other kinds in the past, but they both divided competitors into weight categories, and I found it hard to play someone much taller than me.”
However, in kendo, Yimao found what she was looking for: “my first experience was in a session where everyone in the room plays each other in a round-robin. It showed me that your fitness level, age, and body shape don’t matter, because kendo is an art of strategy – you just need to figure out how to create your advantage.”
In this way, kendo competitions came naturally to Yimao, allowing her ambitions to extend beyond individual success with hopes to build a team at UC. “In the future, we want to send a full team to UniSport Nationals. I hope more UC students can join us in enjoying kendo, training hard together, and competing as a team.”
As for UniSport Nationals, Yimao holds it as “A great experience. The energy and spirit there are one-of-a-kind. The excitement from competitors and the audience is hard for me to put it into words. You have to be there and experience it for yourself.”
And the best news? Yimao and the team run a 10-week beginners’ course at the beginning of every semester if you want to get involved. You’re always welcome to email them at universityofcanberrakendoclub@gmail.com, or follow their Facebook page for more information.
If you’re looking for a way to have fun with new friends and compete in an inclusive environment, kendo might be for you! Like Yimao, you can have fun and find your passion in a new sport: “I found a sense of fairness in kendo and absolutely love it. I cannot thank my sensei, senpai, my kendo friends, ACTKR, UC Sport and UC Lifex enough for all their support. For the upcoming competition, I just hope I can go there, bring out what I’ve got, and enjoy it.”
It’s never too late to sign up, of course! Especially with UniSport Nationals 2027 just around the corner!
Pictured: Yimao Liu (centre back) helping to lead a Kendo training session