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The University of Western Australia will host more than 5,000 competitors from 41 universities across Australia at the 2010 Australian University Games starting on 26 September.

Since its inception in 1993, the Games has become the nation's biggest annual multi-sport event.  UWA hosted the Games in 2004 and 1999.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said UWA was excited about being the principal partner University in this year's Games.  "Our University has a proud tradition of being of service to communities and of welcoming visitors from around Australia and beyond onto our campus without gates," he said.

"Sport, cultural and social experiences are as crucial to students' development as are the skills, knowledge and training to cope in a global environment that they gain through studying.

"The Games will give our wonderful city a significant economic boost as the competitors and their supporters enjoy Perth's many highlights.  The Games also provide a showcase for Perth, which is unique in having most of the Games' 27 sporting venues located within a 10 kilometre radius, close to both UWA and the CBD."

This year's event boasts more sports than ever before, with tenpin bowling, lawn bowling, ultimate frisbee and European handball making up the list of 31 sports.  The program also includes traditional sports such as athletics, basketball, cycling, fencing, golf, hockey, judo, netball, rowing, sailing, squash, volleyball and water polo.

Games Project Manager Mr Ian Fitzpatrick said the biggest universities - Monash, Melbourne and Sydney - were usually locked in battle for the top honours of being named overall sporting champion.

"However, there are other gongs such as the Doug Ellis Trophy which recognises the per capita contribution of participants and the John White Spirit of the Games Shield, awarded to the university which displays integrity and honesty and upholds the ideals of university sport.  UWA will definitely be in the running for these," he said.

"It is brilliant that the 2010 Games patrons are throwing their support behind this event.  They are: Australian of the Year 2005, plastic surgeon Dr Fiona Wood; Olympian Kylie Wheeler; West Coast Fever netballer Caitlin Bassett; Paralympian wheelchair basketballer Justin Eveson; top 20 world golfer Nick O'Hern; and Paralympian swimmer Matthew Cowdrey."

Media references

Ian Fitzpatrick (Project Manager, Australia University Games)  (+61 8)  9284 9183  /  (+61 4) 39 910 568
Sarah Wordsworth (Marketing and Media Coordinator,   (+61 7)  3876 2610 - Ext 25
Australian University Sport )  (+61 4) 20 839 152
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716