Federation student-athlete scores big for First Nations sport
Federation University student-athlete Anna Solomon who was awarded ’Most outstanding sporting performance by an Indigenous student-athlete'.
Federation University Australia student and proud Dunghutti and Ngarigo Monero woman Anna Solomon has been awarded ’Most outstanding sporting performance by an Indigenous student-athlete' at the 2025 UniSport National Conference Sports Awards, which celebrate the achievement of university student-athletes and sporting programs.
The prestigious award was announced in Adelaide on Tuesday 20 May in front of a crowd of more than 120 university sport leaders, administrators and managers and representatives from international university sport federations, and national sporting organisations.
A Bachelor of Social Work student at Federation’s Churchill Campus, Anna was recognised for her exceptional achievements in netball, including captaining Victoria's inaugural First Nations netball team competing at Netball Australia’s first-ever First Nations Tournament, leading with skill, pride, and determination.
Anna also made history as the first signing for the Victorian Netball League (VNL) Gippsland Stars 23 & Under team and was a standout player in Federation University’s UniSport National team, where she dominated the court during the week-long tournament in late 2024.
Beyond her on-court success, Anna’s leadership and community impact were also celebrated. She has been a driving force in encouraging fellow students to participate in the First Nations Tournament, generously sharing her knowledge and experience. As an ambassador for Federation’s Elite Athlete Program, Anna has played a key role in inspiring and recruiting future student-athletes to pursue both academic and sporting excellence.
Anna said she was honoured to receive the award. “I'm so grateful to be recognised for my commitment to netball and the sacrifices I have made to support my sporting endeavours. It is truly an honour to be nominated alongside such strong and competitive Indigenous athletes, and testament to our resilience and ability in pushing through the barriers First Nations peoples face.”
“I am honoured to be acknowledged for the impact I have had on my community and for my passion to be a positive and guiding example for my fellow Indigenous student-athletes and other students in the wider Indigenous community.”
Next month, Anna will proudly represent Federation University at the 29th Indigenous Nationals in Perth, a week-long multi-sport competition for Indigenous student-athletes, running from 23 to 27 June 2025.
Federation Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous, Katrina Beer said, “First Nations Australia has a rich sporting history, and it is wonderful to see Anna, a young student-athlete, being celebrated for her sporting excellence and for promoting inclusivity and diversity in sport. At Federation University, we are incredibly proud of Anna’s achievements both on and off the court. Her leadership, dedication, and commitment to community embody the values we strive to uphold, and she is an inspiring role model for First Nations students across the country.”