The ACU Sport and Performer Awards is a celebration of sporting, performing and academic excellence among ACU students and alumni across multiple disciplines.

The inaugural event held in 2022 was the unveiling of the Blue award into the ACU legacy. A Blue is a well-known tradition within the tertiary sector and acknowledges students who have achieved excellence in sport or performance while studying.

The 2023 ACU Sport and Performer Awards will be held on 1 November at Cathedral Hall, Melbourne.


ACU has a proud tradition of supporting students who are pursuing a dual career pathway. The Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP) supports more than 400 ACU students every year. ACU’s program stands apart from our competitors due to our geographical opportunities and the relationship between the faculty staff and EAPP administrators.

2023 nominations are now open. Please nominate via the links below:

University Blue

A Blue is traditionally the highest sporting honour awarded within tertiary institutions worldwide. It is awarded to student athletes who are studying at university, are competing in the highest level of sporting competition, and have attained outstanding achievements.
ACU has extended its definition of a Blue to include performers who have achieved consistent excellence in their respective field.

About the venue – Cathedral Hall, Melbourne

In November 1902, the Catholic Archdiocese purchased this property in Brunswick Street that was formerly a boot factory built in 1873. The hall was refurbished in 16 months and officially opened by the Archbishop on Sunday 10 April 1904.

Cathedral Hall has seen a diverse range of uses since its opening: jazz nights, various clubs and societies’ evenings, boxing matches, performing arts groups. In 2000, the Archdiocese granted ACU the use of Cathedral Hall – the opening of the university’s Saint Patrick’s campus took place there on 28 July 2000. It is regularly used by the university for lectures, theatrical performances and large-scale events.

Cathedral Hall underwent restoration in the early 2000s and was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 2003.

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Award categories

This award recognises outstanding sporting achievement combined with academic excellence. Award recipients will have displayed high-level sporting or performing achievements while maintaining a significant study load and high academic results.

A Blue is awarded in recognition of a student athlete/performer or alumni who has represented Australia or performed at an international event while maintaining their academic studies.

Requirements:

  • Achieves success at open international level or selection on an open national squad for a major event such Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games or World Championships.
  • Displays good sportsmanship in and out of competition.
  • Achieves a minimum of national recognition and accolades in their performing art.
  • Athletes from professional codes who are competing at the highest level and have no or limited opportunity to compete for a national team (AFL, NRL etc) will be reviewed by the sub-committee each year and should demonstrate significant long-term success in their sport.

In 2023 ACU will recognise Alumni who achieved these results while competing their studies at ACU. Current students must achieve these results within period of 23 September 2022 - 1 September 2023

 

Recognises an exceptional performance by an elite student athlete/performer with disability (AWD) at a world championship event or other significant international or national para event. Performance must not be related to a university sport event.

Recognises the sporting achievement/s of a university sport team at an event or competition.

Requirements:

  • The team must consist of at least 50 per cent ACU students.
  • Sporting achievement is not limited to a university sport event and may include community-based competitions, FISU events, national championships (cheer and dance, distance running, league of legends) or inter-varsity competitions.

Recognises the sporting achievement/s of a university sport team at an event or competition.

Requirements:

  • The team must consist of at least 50 per cent ACU students.
  • Sporting achievement is not limited to a university sport event and may include community-based competitions, FISU events, national championships (cheer and dance, distance running, league of legends) or inter-varsity competitions.

Recognises an ACU Sport Club that has achieved excellence on and off the field.

Requirements:

  • The sport club must demonstrate success in an external competition, have high levels of student membership, have maintained a positive club culture, and boast a strong presence and level of involvement in life on campus.

Recognises a student volunteer for their outstanding contribution, commitment and dedication to building the capacity of sport and/or a specific sport club or program. This award also recognises a student volunteer who demonstrates leadership by promoting inclusion, positive attitudes, behaviours and culture within the university sporting community.

Requirements:

  • The Volunteer of the Year must have been an enrolled student at ACU during the nomination period.
  • The Volunteer of the Year must not be receiving payment for their role.
  • The Volunteer of the Year may be a sport club committee member, UniSport Nationals team manager or coach, or fulfill another volunteer role associated with ACU Sport.

Recognises the achievement of a sport official who has made a significant contribution to the success of a sport person, team, competition or program associated with ACU Sport.

Requirements:

  • The Official of the Year may fulfil the role in a paid or voluntary capacity.
  • The Official of the Year must be associated with ACU Sport and contribute to an ACU Sport club or program, and may be a referee, umpire, coach or team manager.