The Badge We Wear A history of sports at UNSW Sydney

Sport has always been an integral part of student life at UNSW. Since 1949, when the university was formed, sport has enriched the lives of many students. UNSW’ s sporting achievements have included more than 75 students have represented Australia at the Olympics and Paralympics. Whether playing socially or at an elite level, sport has brought students together and benefitted the wider UNSW community. Sport has also played a central role in establishing the university’ s identity. The Badge We Wear charts the role of sport at UNSW and examines the impact that sport and recreation have had in the university’ s history.

Anthony T Hughes has taught in the School of Law at the University of New South Wales since 2004 and previously taught in its School of History for over a decade. He is also Adjunct Professor at Boston University Sydney Internship Program and has taught at the University of Western Sydney and the University of New England. He has lectured at universities in Canada, China, the Kingdom of Thailand, Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland. He has written widely on social, cultural and legal issues. Dr Hughes was Executive Officer of the UNSW Centre for Olympic Studies from 1996 to 2004.

Foreword by Attila Brungs Preface by Mark Wright Introduction 1. The foundation of the university and the Sports Association 2. The 1950s: From the halls of Ultimo to the sands of Kensington 3. The 1960s: Sport building boom 4. The 1970s: It’ s time 5. The 1980s: Expansion and the cold wind of commercialism 6. The 1990s: The big squeeze 7. The 2000s-2010s: VSU and new models of sport 8. The 2000s-2020s: VSU an the death of the Sports Association Appendix 1 Sports Association Office Bearers 1953-2007 Appendix 2 Honorary Life Members 1953-2006 Appendix 3 University Blues Appendix 4 Ben Lexcen Scholarship Appendix 5 Doug Crawford Sports Recognition Awards Appendix 6 Sam Cracknell Memorial Sports Award Appendix 7 Hall of Fame Appendix 8 Sports Clubs 2023 Census Appendix 9: The governance of sport at UNSW 2024 Biblio