Monash University delivered a standout performance at the UniSport Nationals in Canberra, securing multiple podium finishes across both cheer and dance competitions which were held on the 11th of September. The cheer teams dominated, with Monash claiming gold in Cheer Overall and Cheer Artemis (L3/4 Coed), as well as in Cheer Apollo (L3/4 All Girls). 

In dance, Monash continued to excel, earning silver in ‘Dance Overall’. Their team categories also saw remarkable success. Moneta led the charge with a gold medal in ‘Premier Uni Pom’, while Helios secured another gold in ‘Premier Uni Hip Hop’. Additional victories came from ‘Cheer Athena’ (Level 1/2 All Girls) and ‘Cheer Ares’ (Level 1/2 Coed), both of which took home gold medals.

Monash’s impressive form continued with silver in ‘Pom Duo’ and ‘Premier Uni Lyrical’, as well as bronze in ‘Jazz Duo’ and ‘Premier Uni Jazz’.

Among the standout performers was Sydney Callanan who competed in Premier Uni Jazz, Premier Uni Pom and Premier Uni Lyrical events. Reflecting on her experience, Callanan said:

'I was really excited beforehand. This was my first year with Monash Uni Cheer & Dance (MONCAD) and only my second competition with them.'

Though this was her first year with MONCAD, Callanan has been dancing since the age of three. Her experience and dedication earned her a spot in the competition soon after joining the team.

“We were just wanting to try our best. We weren’t quite sure what to expect, because we were competing. But we were hoping to get away with a medal. And then after we performed, we were really happy with how we went. We did a really strong performance,” she added.

Cheer and dance, which require high levels of coordination and synchronisation, also demand strong team dynamics. Callanan emphasised the importance of team bonding:

“We have a strong relationship with the team. It’s important to get to know everyone, because if everyone’s consistent, that’s going to show in our performance. We are all very supportive.”

“If you were to see the competitions, you’d be like, ‘Oh my gosh’, because everyone is there cheering each other on. During the dance, people are shouting out teammates' names.”

Despite their success, the road to the competition wasn’t without its challenges.

“The most challenging moments were leading up to the final because there are so many things you want to fix, but you can only do so much at a time while also working on the performance,” Callanan shared.

As a second-year Material Science and Engineering student, Callanan finds that dancing offers a welcome break from the rigours of her academic life.

“For everyone, you have to learn when to give yourself a break. Sometimes that’s hard, and I’m not always good at giving myself one, so dance kind of forces me to take that break.”

“I have allocated time each week, and even if I’m stressed about school, as soon as I start dancing, I feel so relaxed again. It helps me forget about everything else,” Callanan said.

Looking ahead, Callanan is eager to continue with dance and improve.

“For the rest of the year, we’re just working to keep improving our routines. We still have more competitions to come – one this weekend, and Nationals at the end of the year.”

“For me, because I had a year off from dance last year, a lot of this year has been about getting stronger again, building up stamina, and getting fitter – that helps with the routines too.”

MONCAD’s dominance at the UniSport Nationals reflects not only their athletic prowess but also the dedication and teamwork that each member brings to the competition. With more competitions on the horizon, Monash looks set to continue their winning streak.

For the full results, visit the Team Monash Facebook and Instagram!

Written by Antonia Xu