RMIT Basketball League 2025: Inside the heart of the Redbacks community

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RMIT Basketball League 2025: Inside the heart of the Redbacks community

Spanning eight weeks and ninety explosive matches, the RMIT Basketball League 2025 was a showcase of fierce competition. But for the players who lived it, the journey was about more than winning. It was a story of overcoming self-doubt, forging a family, and discovering what it truly means to be the Redbacks.

The familiar spider mascot you’ve seen around campus now carries a new, official meaning at RMIT Vietnam. For the first time, all sports clubs united as the RMIT Redbacks, sharing one name, one spirit, and one team energy, representing our university proudly in national university competitions.

A new era of RMIT sport clubs

Officially launched in 2025 at RMIT Vietnam, the Redbacks mascot represents all students and staff who compete for the university in sporting events. The brand aligns with the rebranding at RMIT Melbourne and draws inspiration from a sporting legacy that dates back to the early 1900s. Cheered on by their spider mascot, Rupert, Redbacks teams are known for their sportsmanship on the field and an inclusive, supportive culture off the field. This community is built on the dual pillars of athletic achievement and profound community spirit.

The roar of the crowd, the squeak of shoes on a newly branded court, the shared, breathless moment before a final, decisive play: these were the sounds of victory as the RMIT Basketball League 2025 came to a close. For the RMIT Basketball Redbacks team, these moments were the culmination of a season defined by a resilient spirit, where deepening teamwork and chemistry transformed the club into a truly united force.

A family forged in competition

Beyond strategy and athleticism, the single most resonant theme among the players was the idea of family. In the high-pressure environment of competitive sports, the Redbacks Basketball team brought a vital support system that transformed individual athletes into a unified force. This sense of belonging was the bedrock of the Redbacks experience.

For basketball player Pham Quang Nghia, a student in Engineering - Robotics and Mechatronics, this feeling was everything. He described it as being "part of a family that supports, challenges, and uplifts one another". He believed this shared spirit was the key ingredient that made the community special, from the coaches who guided with passion to the teammates who always had your back. This culture reframed the very definition of success; for Nghia, true victory was not measured by trophies but "by how much we grew together".

This idea of family isn't just an internal feeling but extends across the entire university.

This idea of family isn't just an internal feeling but extends across the entire university.

Huynh Kha Nhi, majoring in Digital Marketing, was both a player and the tournament's Head of Marketing. She felt the "unity of the Redbacks spirit" most profoundly in the stands, where members of other sports clubs came to cheer them on. She recalled how that visible, vocal support from the wider community created an electric atmosphere, filled her with pride and gave her the energy to compete at her highest level. It was why her invitation to others was so simple and heartfelt: "become a part of the Redbacks family, just like we did!"

Ultimately, this powerful sense of connection was what forged a lasting identity. Minh Quang, a Digital Marketing student but also a player, explained that this deep bond fostered a "stronger sense of sportsmanship and identity," helping athletes to better understand the core values they represented when they stepped onto the court.

Growing and vision through the game

Competition was a crucible, and for the Redbacks, the RBL 2025 season was a transformative journey of growth. The teams faced significant challenges, and in overcoming them together, they emerged stronger, more skilled, and more connected. This was powerfully demonstrated by the success of both the men's and women's teams, who achieved outstanding results.

The RMIT women’s team, winners of the championship gold, perfectly show this transformation.

The RMIT women’s team, winners of the championship gold, perfectly show this transformation.

They entered the season with low expectations, believing they were "much weaker compared to last year" after several senior players had graduated. The team's biggest challenge was a "lack of time playing together," which led to self-doubt.

However, as the tournament progressed, their chemistry began to shine.

However, as the tournament progressed, their chemistry began to shine.

Through shared experience and advice from senior teammates, the players' confidence grew, and they transformed from a group of individuals into a real team. This incredible journey of growth took them all the way to a championship title that was "far beyond what we had expected".

Quang Nghia emphasised that the entire season was defined by "growth – both individually and as a team". The intense pressure of the games pushed the players to "communicate better, trust each other more, and embrace the pressure that came with wearing the Redbacks jersey".

This journey of growth inspired the players to look ahead and become architects of the community’s future. Their commitment extended far beyond their own time on the court, as they were actively invested in building a stronger and more inclusive program for the next generation.

On the other hand, Minh Quang offered a detailed vision for the future from the male team. He saw opportunities for improvement, particularly in marketing, suggesting collaborations with micro-influencers at RMIT or creating more emotional, story-driven video content. He also proposed building a more systematic training structure to serve as a community-oriented group where players of all levels could practice and connect.

Proud to wear red and black

At RMIT, being a Redback means more than just playing a sport. It represents a shared spirit that unites every athlete across all clubs about a culture of respect, effort, and support that turns individuals into one strong community.

For Nghia, that spirit began with giving back. “Helping new players, sharing what I’ve learned, and maintaining that culture of respect, effort, and support, that’s what being a Redback means to me,” he said. To him, it was a culture of winning: winning games, winning yourself, and even winning against the odds. This mindset of mentorship and perseverance ensured the Redbacks spirit continued to thrive and inspire future generations.

That same passion drove Nhi. On the court, she felt the unity of the Redbacks spirit as athletes from other clubs came to cheer them on. Off the court, she witnessed RMIT’s support through the newly branded Redbacks Sport Hall, which brought renewed pride and energy to every game.

“Just take the first step,” Nhi urges, “and become a part of the Redbacks family.”

“Just take the first step,” Nhi urges, “and become a part of the Redbacks family.”

These connections are what make the RMIT Vietnam Redbacks truly special. It’s about growth, teamwork, and a shared commitment to keeping the Redbacks legacy alive. Wearing the red and black is a proud moment means joining a community that supports one another, grows stronger together, and plays with heart. Season after season, across every sport and campus, the Redbacks spirit continues to shine.

Read more about RMIT Active Hub

Story: Written by Pham Thanh Thao, Professional Communication student. This article does not reflect the views of RMIT Vietnam as an institution.

15 October 2025

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