7 October 2008
After a week of intense competition, TeamMONASH took top spot by 13 points over the University of Melbourne. The University of Sydney took out third place.
The Australian University Games, held in Melbourne this year for the first time in a decade, are Australia's largest annual multi-sport event.
This year 7000 participants converged on 31 Melbourne sporting venues during the five days of competition. The 2008 AUG included a diverse group of athletes ranging from beginners to elite Olympians and featured 42 universities across 28 sports.
The games also had a real international feel with competitors representing Monash from South Africa and Malaysia campuses. A team from Papua New Guinea University of Technology competed for the first time.
Director of Monash Sport Martin Doulton said as the Principal Partner University, it was fitting that Monash was overall winner.
"With stunning performances from individuals and teams throughout the week, we were confident we could take out the event on home soil," Mr Doulton said.
"More than 80 volunteers in areas such as customer service, media, logistics, IT and sports medicine must also be commended for supporting our athletes and ensuring the games ran smoothly.
"As we celebrate our success however, there is still an air of sadness, with the death of a Griffith University student Dean Hofstee as he was returning to his hotel.
"Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and team-mates as they come to terms with this terrible tragedy."
Monash hosted six sports - badminton, squash, hockey, touch football, Australian Rules football and handball. All Monash sporting venues were carbon neutral, waste wise, water smart and resource efficient for the duration of the games to empower participants to take positive environmental actions in their own lives.
The 2009 Australian University Games will be held on Queensland's Gold Coast.
For full results visit the Australia University Sport website.
For further information contact Brenda de Souza, Media and Communications Coordinator, Monash Sport, on +61 3 9905 8837 or 0412 031 008.
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