Around the grounds

The Bull Sharks celebrate their national title in front of the Fabian Fay Clubhouse.

Rugby: Women crowned Uni7s national champs on home turf

A historic national championship headlined Bond University’s 2021 rugby campaign. The Bull Sharks secured their maiden national championship after a scintillating performance in the final round of the AON Women’s Uni7s. Bond raced to a 22-0 lead in the final against Griffith University, with a Maddison Levi double in the first half spearheading Bond’s charge to the national title. The Bull Sharks defeated Griffith 29-7 to win their first national silverware, holding their nerve on the final day of competition in front of the Fabian Fay Clubhouse at Bond University.

“It was unreal to win the national title,” says Bond University captain Emily Bass. “We had to play with heart and the girls certainly did that. I’m super proud. I’ve been here since 2017 and this group is special. We’ve never had this much talent come through the ranks. To win at home in front of our family and friends is unbelievable.”

Coach Setu Nasiri was thrilled with his team’s performance. “It is surreal,” Nasiri says. “I’m happy for the group of players because it’s been a big commitment for this group and the staff and their families. They are not just good footy players, but great people.”

While the women’s 7s team toasted national glory, the Bull Sharks Premier Women, Second Grade, Colts 1 and Colts 2 teams all made the Covid affected finals series.

Director of Rugby Luca Liussi says the looks on players’ faces across the two days of semi-finals told the story. “The players were shattered not to progress further,” Liussi says. “It wasn’t for lack of effort. All four teams gave everything. We definitely had our chances in every game and of course it is disappointing but that is finals football. Congratulations to all Bond players, coaches and support staff for doing our colours proud.”

Mooney rises after search for new coach

After glittering success in Tokyo, Bond Sport is refocussing on the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics. As part of this preparation, the University has signed a new Head Coach to drive its acclaimed swimming program. Chris Mooney was one of Australia’s most successful coaches in Tokyo, guiding swimming sensation Kaylee McKeown to three gold medals and one bronze. He was previously Head Swimming Coach at Spartans Swimming at the University of the Sunshine Coast and has coached in the acclaimed US college system at the University of Hawaii. His other charges have included the likes of Jennie Johansson, the 2015 50m breaststroke World Champion, and Taylor McKeown who won gold in the 200m breaststroke at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“There is some unbelievable talent in the Bond program,” Mooney says. “We have three years of opportunity (until the 2024 Olympics) and we want to make that daily training environment the best it can be. There will be no pressure on the results, there’ll be just a little bit of pressure on the process to make sure we get those day-to-day things right.” New Bond University swimming Head Coach Chris Mooney.

Director of Swimming Kyle Samuelson says Bond’s coaching staff are excited at the appointment of Mooney to lead the program. “He brings an immense amount of experience for our swimmers to learn from and we’re thrilled to have him on deck at the University,” Samuelson says. “I look forward to working with Chris on driving the program through to the next level for the Paris 2024 Olympics and beyond.”

Executive Director of Sport Garry Nucifora says Mooney’s appointment is a natural evolution of Bond Swimming. “Chris Mooney is a coach of exceptional standing and we are very excited about the contribution he will make to the swim program’s exciting story. His values align very well with those of the university where excellence in swimming complements the academic pursuits of our elite student-athletes.”

AFL: Four sides make grand finals

A QAFLW Development premiership was the highlight of another highly successful season for the Bond University AFL club. All four Bull Sharks sides made grand finals across the men’s and women’s programs, with the women’s development team claiming silverware. Medical student Clara Dahlenburg was voted best on ground in the winning grand final, showing up all over the field in a tense 44-32 victory over Coorparoo.

Bond also further strengthened its reputation as the biggest AFLW talent factory in the country with 16 players drafted into the premier women’s competition since the AFLW was formed in 2017. Five more Bull Sharks were drafted into the AFLW in 2021 – Lucinda Pullar & Mikayla Pauga (Brisbane Lions), Teagan Levi, Shannon Danckert and Giselle Davies (Gold Coast Suns), while two former players were also picked up – inaugural Bull Shark Imogen Barnett (Collingwood Magpies) and Casidhe Simmons (GWS Giants).

Netball: Players net national spots

Bond University is fast establishing itself as the breeding ground for future netball superstars. Four Bull Sharks players - Elsa Sandholt (U17s), Ava Black and Ashleigh Ervin (U19s) and Maddi Ridley (U21s) - were all picked in Australian squads.

“The pathways we have in place mean we are able to help these young athletes further their careers in the sport,” says Director of Netball Stu Allen. “We have won consecutive U16s state titles and had consecutive U18s grand final appearances as well.”

In state competition, the Sapphire and Ruby teams claimed their fair share of scalps throughout the season before ultimately finishing just one place out of the finals in Queensland’s premier competition. It was a remarkable season considering the Bull Sharks were hampered by injuries.

The squad suffered more lost games due to injury this season than in the previous two seasons combined.

University Nationals: Bull Sharks punch above their weight again

Bond University claimed the University Nationals Queensland per capita trophy in 2021 for the fourth consecutive year.

The Bull Sharks men’s rugby 7s team were the headline act, claiming the gold medal after going through the tournament undefeated. They won all three games on day one of the tournament with an aggregate of 149-0, before backing up on day two with four more victories, winning the grand final 36-7 over James Cook University.

Bond’s women’s netball team also had a strong tournament, finishing with a silver medal.

Bond competed well across men’s and women’s basketball and mixed netball to retain the nationals per capita crown.

| 52 |