‘A lifetime experience’: hear from Alex about why you should join the Deakin Dragons
As we gear up for the 2025 UniSport Nationals trials, you may be wondering: Why should I join the Deakin Dragons? Joining a sport at university comes with a ton of benefits, whether you’re looking to stay active, meet new people, or take a well-earned break from studying. It’s a great way to stay motivated and develop valuable skills like teamwork and resilience—all while having fun and keeping fit.
Want to know what it’s all about? Read on to hear from one of Deakin’s own students about why you should get involved this year.
International student Alex Bergamo Dos Santos (pictured on the right) competed in the Men’s Volleyball event at the 2024 championships in Canberra, ACT. Here, he shares what it was like representing Deakin on the national stage and how it shaped his university journey.
It was an unforgettable experience. The UniSport Nationals events are well organised, bringing together a huge number of athletes from all over Australia. The organisers provide great support to ensure athlete safety, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to socialise with students from Deakin and across the country.
University sport brings students together.
I’m from Brazil, and my university experience back home is completely different—not just academically, but also in terms of sports. I had never been part of such a large university-level competition with so many participants. No matter what, uni sports always pulls students together. I’m still in touch with the friends I made training in volleyball, handball, and swimming back in Brazil, and we share great memories of the times we competed together.
It was totally worth it. I gained memories beyond the classroom.
I already knew sport could be a very special part of uni. So, when I got to Deakin, I looked up how to join a team. The best part for me was getting to play in a different Australian city, and meet some awesome people from the same uni I probably wouldn’t have crossed paths with if it wasn’t for sport.
Sport will help your cognitive skills.
There is no secret to balancing sport activities and uni studies – honestly, sport provides a break from the mental effort you put into your uni work. It teaches discipline, perseverance, accountability, organisation, and plenty of other skills that help both on and off the court. My research back in Brazil during my first degree focused on how sport is linked to high levels of achievement in the workplace, so it’s something you can take with you beyond university.
Experience the fun for yourself!
There are plenty of ways to get involved in sport at Deakin.
Try out for UniSport Nationals this April
The 2025 UniSport Nationals is a multi-sport event held on the Gold Coast, QLD from Monday 29 September to Friday 3 October 2025. Find out more details in the UniSport Nationals Information Pack, or get in touch with DUSA Sport via email at dusasport@deakin.edu.au.
Stay in the loop with all things sport at Deakin by following @DeakinDragons on Instagram!
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