The University of Western Australia (UWA) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Avid Sports, the sporting division of AvidSys Group, in a move that strengthens India–Australia ties and expands global opportunities for students.
Avid Sports is a subsidiary of AvidSys Group, an investment house with business interests spanning mining, mining services, manufacturing, technology, healthcare, construction & infrastructure development, media and international sports.
Through its sporting arm, Avid Sports, the Group has rapidly established itself in the Indian sports landscape by acquiring and developing the Chennai Bulls Rugby Sevens franchise. They are the only foreign-owned team in the league.
Under the leadership of celebrated coach Ben Gollings, the Bulls claimed the inaugural Rugby Premier League championship in 2025, signalling ambitions to professionalise and grow rugby across India and transform the region’s sporting landscape - via world-class infrastructure, training, youth development, and community engagement.
The signing ceremony at UWA’s Crawley campus marks the beginning of a strategic partnership that will give UWA students in disciplines such as sport science, business, marketing and high-performance access to internships, practicums, and immersive industry experiences in India and Australia.
The collaboration will also support UWA’s historic expansion into India, with the University recently receiving approval to establish International Branch Campuses in Mumbai and Chennai - making it the first Group of Eight (Go8) university to do so.
Commenting on the MoU, UWA Professor Silvana Gaudieri, Head of the School of Human Sciences, said the partnership represented a significant milestone in building bilateral cooperation.
“This collaboration provides an exciting opportunity to combine our academic expertise in sport science and human performance with Avid Sports’ global networks. Together, we will create new avenues for student-athlete development, research collaborations and cultural exchange that will benefit both nations.”
UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) Professor Guy Littlefair also highlighted that the partnership aligns with UWA’s 2030 Vision, reinforcing the University’s commitment to global leadership in education and research.
“This partnership demonstrates UWA’s commitment to meaningful international collaboration and the creation of innovative opportunities for students, researchers and industry to work together in advancing global knowledge, skills and impact.”
Sruti Simon, Director of Avid Sports, said the organisation was proud to formalise its partnership with UWA.
“We are delighted to partner with UWA to create pathways that connect education, research, and industry. By combining UWA’s academic expertise with our vision for sport and innovation in India, we can deliver meaningful opportunities for students and strengthen the ties between our two nations.”
With its International Branch Campuses set to launch in India within the next 18 months, UWA’s partnership with Avid Sports represents a cornerstone initiative linking education with real-world industry outcomes, while advancing India–Australia collaboration in sport, business and beyond.
