Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, Armidale Regional Council has made the decision to postpone the inaugural Armidale Spring Games until further notice.
The games were set to kick off this October long weekend, however, uncertainty surrounding the lockdown and travel restrictions has meant that Council and the organising committee would not be able to deliver the event.
Armidale Regional Council Mayor Ian Tiley said while it’s a blow to the local sporting scene this year, Council has arranged with the funding body for the event to roll-over into 2022.
“As some parts of regional NSW, including Armidale, are emerging from lockdown and the NSW Government revealing its plans for opening up NSW once vaccination targets are reached I am confident we can hold this event in a COVID safe way sometime in 2022,” said Mayor Tiley.
“Due to the nature of the event and the ideal weather conditions that Spring presents, we are hoping to schedule the event again on the October Long Weekend next year.”
The Armidale Spring Games will bring teams together from across Northern New South Wales and Southern Queensland to take part in a celebration of sport. Hockey, cricket and soccer teams will compete from a range of age groups in the three-day event.
Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said the running of the Armidale Spring Games will be crucial to New England’s post COVID recovery.
“It’s disappointing to see the pandemic force the postponement of the inaugural Armidale Spring Games,” Mr Joyce said.
“The Games and other similar events will prove key in Armidale and New England’s economic recovery, once restrictions are eased.”
“The Games will likely bring more than 50 teams to the regions, bringing a much-needed boost to local accommodation providers, restaurants and shops,” Mr Joyce said.
The inaugural Armidale Spring Games is funded by a $145,000 grant from the Australian Government through the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery grants program.
To find out more about the event or to get involved visit armidalespringgames.com.au
Published on 16 Sep 2021