April has been a standout month for UniSA athletes, with exceptional performances across a variety of sports including athletics, wheelchair basketball, canoe polo, and ice hockey. From record-breaking runs to gold medal finishes, UniSA’s elite athletes have shown their strength, skill, and determination on both domestic and international stages.
SA Claim the Junior National Wheelchair Basketball Championship Title
UniSA’s Isabelle Nitschke and Katelin Gunn played a pivotal role in South Australia’s victory at the National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Championships, held in Brisbane from April 9–13. This was the first time SA has sent a team to compete in this Championships. The prestigious tournament brings together the best young wheelchair basketball athletes from across Australia. Providing an opportunity for athletes who meet the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) classification criteria to showcase their skills at the highest junior level. As part of the starting five, Nitschke scored 19 points in the final as SA defeated Queensland 86-51 to take out the national title.
Chen Makes Ice Hockey World Championship Debut
UniSA’s Daniel Chen is set to represent Australia at the 2025 IIHF Men’s Ice Hockey Division II Group B World Championship in Belgrade, Serbia from April 29 to May 5. After a training camp and exhibition matches in Melbourne, Chen, selected as a forward from the Adelaide Adrenaline, will make his senior World Championship debut. Australia will face teams from Belgium, Israel, the Netherlands, Serbia, and the UAE.
Canoe Polo Champions and International Representatives
UniSA athletes were central to South Australia’s victory at the 2025 Canoe Polo National Championships, held on the Gold Coast from April 12–14. The SA Men’s team went undefeated in the minor rounds, finishing with 4 wins and 3 draws, before defeating Queensland 4-2 in the grand final to claim gold.
Will Polley, Alexander Trewartha, and Fred Sands, all UniSA students, were integral to the team’s success.
Just days later, Polley and Trewartha represented the Australian B Senior Men’s Team at the 2025 ICF Oceania Canoe Polo Championships, also held on the Gold Coast (April 17–20), gaining valuable international experience against the best from Australia and New Zealand.
Penck Blazes Through Clare Valley Running Festival
Ethan Penck delivered a commanding performance at the 2025 Clare Valley Running Festival on April 6, taking out first place in the 5km event. He clocked an impressive time of 15:44.72, cementing himself as one of South Australia’s top emerging distance runners.
Strong Showing at the Australian Track and Field Championships
Held in Western Australia from April 10–13, the Australian Track and Field Championships saw several UniSA athletes achieve top finishes and personal bests.
- Taylor Larsson threw her way to a 6th place finish in both the U20 Women’s Discus (44.52m) and Senior Women’s Shot Put (13.90m), also securing 5th in the U20 Shot Put (13.71m).
- Lillee Wakefield impressed in the Para Senior Discus Throw with a 6th place and a personal best of 26.95m, while also earning another PB in the Senior Women’s Hammer Throw (32.97m). Competing in three Para events, Wakefield claimed:
- 3rd in Para Women’s Javelin
- 4th in Para Women’s Shot Put and Discus
Her results have met the qualifying standards for the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships, with selection announcements expected soon.
From record-setting runs to gold medals and world stage debuts, April has highlighted the incredible breadth of talent within the UniSA Sport community. Congratulations to all athletes on their outstanding performances!