Team La Trobe ready for Uni Nationals return

Taking place between the September 24-30, the UniSport Nationals provide an opportunity for students at the 43 member universities across Australia to compete head-to-head in several national standard sporting competitions.

In 2022, La Trobe University will be sending over 100 athletes to the Western Australian capital to compete in 10 different sports, including Badminton, Basketball, Cycling, Fencing, Football, Lacrosse, Netball, Swimming, Taekwondo and Volleyball. The Team La Trobe squad will consist of students from the Melbourne, Bendigo and Albury Wodonga campuses, as well as eight members of our La Trobe Elite Athlete Program.

Team La Trobe UniSport Nationals co-captain Tom Giliberto (pictured above) is confident that the La Trobe squad will acquit themselves well on the national stage, but also reaffirmed the importance of everyone doing their best and learning each day.

“We’re going to go for gold. If we feel like we’ve given our best every day and every game and learn from our mistakes as well as from the things that went well, I think that will be a success for us,” he said.

Giliberto also talked about the advice that he would give to his Team La Trobe teammates in the leadup to Uni Nationals, as well as the influence he will have on them.

“Really just to take it one day at a time, one game at a time, and not trying to think ahead too much, and just kind of, don’t have any expectations for yourself,” Giliberto said.

“We want to be as competitive as possible, but I think having fun and making sure everybody feels comfortable should be top priority.

“Being that role model for younger students (is important). It is a marathon, not a sprint, and you can burn out pretty quick, so it is important to be understanding of everyone involved in that process and make sure everyone can get through it the best they can.”

For updates and recaps throughout the 2022 UniSport Nationals, stay tuned to the La Trobe Sport Facebook and Instagram channels.