Gold and silver in golf give Avondale good finish at Uni Games
Gold and silver medals in golf have helped Avondale equal its best result—third in per capita rankings—at the Eastern University Games.
Bachelor of Science student Jonathon Ginn and Bachelor of Education (Primary) student Adam Goldfinch finished seventh in the four-round stroke play at the Waratah and Merewether Golf Clubs in Newcastle but won gold and silver on handicap. The two both carded 293, eight strokes ahead of the third-place getter, with Ginn winning gold on a countback. “This is an amazing feat when you consider they played against some of the biggest universities in New South Wales,” says Avondale Eagles Manager Pr Mark McNeill.
The college of higher education registered 95 students for the games, held this year in Newcastle, July 2-6. The students represented Avondale in 11 sports, including men’s futsal, women’s netball, men’s and women’s basketball, touch football and volleyball, and open indoor cricket.
The men’s volleyballers (sixth) finished pool play with the best win–loss record of any of the Avondale teams. Their three wins, which included games against Macquarie University, Australian National University and The University of Newcastle, earned the team a spot in the playoff for fifth and sixth.
The women’s volleyballers (fourth) finished pool play two and four. They lost their bronze medal match but qualify for the Australian University Games in September.
All other teams finished their pool play in lower positions.
“Each team came with a winning spirit, and most of all the team members wanted to give their opponents a good contest,” says McNeill. “From what I saw during the week, they absolutely achieved this objective.
The games in Newcastle were Avondale’s sixth. Its previous equal best result—third in per capita rankings—came in 2013.
The Eastern University Games is the largest of four regional games held simultaneously across Australia. More than 2500 students from universities and TAFEs in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory participate.
The regional games serve as qualifying competitions for the Australian University Games, which the City of Gold Coast will host September 24-29 this year.
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