Armidale
Regional Council Mayor Ian Tiley was joined by local sporting clubs to
officially announce the inaugural Armidale Spring Games to be held in October
later this year.
The event
will be a celebration of sport through a weekend carnival that is expected to
attract more than 50 teams from inter and intra – state.
Mayor Ian
Tiley said the Armidale Spring Games will present an opportunity to showcase
the region from both a sporting and tourism angle and will deliver a
significant boost to the local economy.
“Following
a lengthy period of devastating drought, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic,
sport in our region has taken a huge hit with many major events forced to be
cancelled or downsized,” said Cr. Tiley.
“This has
undoubtedly taken a toll on our local economy and has placed financial strain
on many of our local sporting clubs, so we are anticipating the Spring Games
will be a welcome addition to our events calendar.”
The event
will be held over the October Long Weekend on 1 – 4 October 2021. The three
sporting codes involved will be hockey, cricket and football, and will take
place at several venues across the city.
The
hockey competition will target under 15’s boys and girls teams, football will
target over 35’s men and open women’s teams, while cricket will be targeting
teams in the over 50’s category. All competitions will compete for the title of
Armidale Spring Games Champions.
Federal
Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said the diverse range of the flow on
effects for the region will be significant.
“With
more than 50 teams travelling from all over, local accommodation, eateries and
shops will see a huge influx in business over the four days,” he said.
“Whether
they’re eating out, staying the night, or just enjoying their long weekend
while watching some great sport, we are certain people will flock to this
event.”
“As Spring Games hosts, the New England
is the ideal venue to say goodbye to winter and hello to a healthy restart with
new leaves and new competition.”
Armidale
Regional Council and participating sporting clubs have committed to this event
for the next two years, with it hoped to be a permanent fixture on Armidale’s
sporting calendar.
This
bushfire recovery initiative is funded by a $145,000 grant
from the Australian Government through the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery
grants program.
For more details
and information about how to participate, visit the Armidale Spring Games website.
Published on 07 Apr 2021