As the calendar turns to September and in Oceania springtime is around the corner, it is a busy month there for university sport. Twelve intervarsity events across New Zealand, Fiji, Guam, Australia, and Papua New Guinea are expected to attract more than 10,000 student-athletes. One of these events is the Fiji Inter-Tertiary Games being held in Suva that will attract 3,500 students. Additionally, teams from Australia and New Zealand will also compete at the 2022 FISU Championship Beach Volleyball and the 2022 FISU World Cup Combat Sports, while Australia will also send a team to the 2022 FISU Championship Triathlon.
Social sports at universities are also picking up, with participant numbers higher than ever according to UniSport Australia. As students return to in person learning following the pandemic, these activities, held on campuses across all countries, are being seen as an important component to that return to campus life.
“Students are excited to once again travel to represent their university and to compete against other university teams. The addition of a vibrant international university sport calendar adds to the opportunities that are available for all student athletes to compete, from social sport on local campuses to elite sport 
participation at FISU World University Championships,” says FISU Oceania President David Schmude.
The International Day of University Sport (IDUS) is another big event taking place across the world on 20 September, but many nations and continents are holding activities throughout the month. FISU Oceania is one of these and is celebrating by doing a virtual walk around Oceania to all its members countries.
20,197 kilometres covered is the goal with individuals and teams tracking daily steps to contribute to the overall total. “This step challenge is not only a great way to get people active, but it is a terrific way to promote and highlight our Oceania countries and region to a global audience,” adds Schmude.
This #LetsWalkOceania challenge started on 1 September in Brisbane, Australia with the virtual route connecting to the following cities and countries:
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Noumea, New Caledonia
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Suva, Fiji
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Rarotonga, Cook Islands
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Pago Pago, American Samoa
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Apia, Samoa
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Majuro, Marshall Islands
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Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
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Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
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Guam
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Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
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Brisbane, Australia
It is a busy month in the countries of Oceania as they continue to develop and highlight all the wonderful events occurring in the world of university sport.