The Great Dance: Waite vs. Roseworthy

Words by Maxim Buckley

An event that I didn’t know about (and I’m sure the majority of Adelaide Uni students don’t know about) is the annual Waite vs. Roseworthy football and netball competition. Once a year, all of the utes, Akubras and actually used and dusty RM Williams that the two campuses have to offer make their way down to Roseworthy campus for an evening of friendly competition and friendly drinks.

As someone who hails from the country but is at the main campus, I was tentatively invited by a friend on the condition I didn’t let everyone know I wasn’t one of them. To answer this request I forwent my boots and bootcut jeans for converses and chinos. I stuck out like a sore thumb. If it wasn’t for my 4WD ute, I’m sure I wouldn’t have even been allowed on campus.

I, unfortunately, missed the beginning of the footy match, but I was quickly updated. Roseworthy was being absolutely decimated by the Waite side. The Waite attack was just too strong, the energy too great. One member of the Waite side wasn’t wearing any footy boots, something that many of us believed was cheating as it was most definitely performance-enhancing. The quarter came to an end and just like a pool table that has a slight lean, suddenly Roseworthy was up by the end of the next quarter. This was going to be a nail biter for sure.

The energy of the evening was something to behold. Horns were being honked at each goal. People were sitting in the back of utes, having a few cheeky knock offs. There were even a few sheepdogs here and there, their owners showing off the new tricks that they had been taught.

Half time came around and like a game of AusKick at an AFL match, the girls came on to play two halves; and they were a solid two halves. I don’t believe this should be a criticism of the event, I would have loved more than anything to see the girls play a full game as would have everyone else there. Unfortunately, there wasn’t quite enough interest to warrant a full match. Hopefully this is something that will change in years to come as women’s footy becomes more prolific.

The football ended with Waite getting in a close victory, but it was all in good sport and there were cheers all round for all teams.

Next up was netball, and this was some good netball. I believe there were even some state players out there, which really turned up the heat. The game started out like any netball would: extremely fast play with many tricks and turns by all players. What was most impressive was that none of these girls had ever played with each other as a team, but you wouldn’t have guessed that. The calls were second to none with goal after goal being scored. Unfortunately for Waite, the majority of the goals were going to Roseworthy, who absolutely cleaned up in both the all-girls and social mixed matches.

The night ended with friendly snags and even some whip cracks off in the distance. This truly was a country event. I, unfortunately, had to leave for a stupid 9am prac the next day, but everyone else stayed to continue to celebrate the day and camp on the oval, something I wasn’t too jealous of considering how bitterly cold it was.

I know this is Waite and Roseworthy’s thing, and I’d want it to stay that way. But the feeling there was incredible, the comradery from each side, the competitive nature of wanting to beat the others. This is something I think is missing at Adelaide Uni. There needs to be more intercollegiate type events. Uni sports is great and all, but we have three campuses. There are three Universities in Adelaide. This kind of thing can happen, and it’s honestly a great time! If these things already exist, please let me know because I will well and truly be there next time.