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City prepares to host Australian Deaf Games | Geelong, VIC, Australia
GEELONG'S tourism figures will be boosted with the hosting of the XVI Australian Deaf Games this month.
The Deaf Games run from January 14-21, attracting 900 athletes from Australia and the Pacific region and up to 1500 visitors, including families and volunteers.
Held every four years since the games began in 1964, it is only the second time the event has been held outside a capital city, and the first time in Victoria for 30 years.
Deaf Sports Australia manager Craig Dodson said Geelong was unique compared to a lot of the other regional centres because of the quality of the venues.
"Traditionally it has been held in capital cities before this," he said yesterday. "I think Geelong is a very unique venue, and what attracted us to Geelong is the quality of the sporting facilities and the ease of access to them.
"A lot of the smaller regional centres don't have the infrastructure, but Geelong has the best of both worlds."
The seven days of actual competition covers 17 various sports, from aquatics and cycling, to athletics and football. The golf will be held at 13th Beach, the netball at Kardinia Park, lawn bowls at Belmont Bowls Club and tennis at Geelong Lawn Tennis Club.
For the first time, the games will include athletes from New Zealand, Samoa and Fiji.
Geelong Otway Tourism boss Roger Grant said the deaf games was a wonderful event of national significance for Geelong.
"A good many family and friends will be coming along with the competitors, and we hope that they will enjoy it and stay a bit longer," he said.
"One of the best things about the national events is that people make the effort to attend the event and because often they have come from interstate and further afield, they will use it as an opportunity to have a look around the region and to really explore the destination.
"So I'm really looking forward a very successful event for Geelong."
While sport is central to the event, the games also provide a major social and cultural festival for the deaf community.
Deakin University's Waterfront Campus will be the games hub, with the nearby The Edge cafe listed among the evening social activities.
Entertainment and street performances are also a major feature, with Strangefruit, Smash Hop and some surprise guests on the bill of more than 100 performers.
Deaf Arts Network development officer Stephanie Linder said the network had been invited to produce the opening and closing ceremonies of the Australian Deaf Games.
"Working in collaboration with internationally acclaimed Strange Fruit Theatre Company, our aim is to put on the most spectacular games show that the Australian deaf community has ever seen," Mr Linder said.
The opening ceremony will be held at The Arena from 5.30pm on January 14, and the closing ceremony will be held from 5pm on January 21 at Deakin University's Costa Hall.
GEELONG'S tourism figures will be boosted with the hosting of the XVI Australian Deaf Games this month.
The Deaf Games run from January 14-21, attracting 900 athletes from Australia and the Pacific region and up to 1500 visitors, including families and volunteers.
Held every four years since the games began in 1964, it is only the second time the event has been held outside a capital city, and the first time in Victoria for 30 years.
Deaf Sports Australia manager Craig Dodson said Geelong was unique compared to a lot of the other regional centres because of the quality of the venues.
"Traditionally it has been held in capital cities before this," he said yesterday. "I think Geelong is a very unique venue, and what attracted us to Geelong is the quality of the sporting facilities and the ease of access to them.
"A lot of the smaller regional centres don't have the infrastructure, but Geelong has the best of both worlds."
The seven days of actual competition covers 17 various sports, from aquatics and cycling, to athletics and football. The golf will be held at 13th Beach, the netball at Kardinia Park, lawn bowls at Belmont Bowls Club and tennis at Geelong Lawn Tennis Club.
For the first time, the games will include athletes from New Zealand, Samoa and Fiji.
Geelong Otway Tourism boss Roger Grant said the deaf games was a wonderful event of national significance for Geelong.
"A good many family and friends will be coming along with the competitors, and we hope that they will enjoy it and stay a bit longer," he said.
"One of the best things about the national events is that people make the effort to attend the event and because often they have come from interstate and further afield, they will use it as an opportunity to have a look around the region and to really explore the destination.
"So I'm really looking forward a very successful event for Geelong."
While sport is central to the event, the games also provide a major social and cultural festival for the deaf community.
Deakin University's Waterfront Campus will be the games hub, with the nearby The Edge cafe listed among the evening social activities.
Entertainment and street performances are also a major feature, with Strangefruit, Smash Hop and some surprise guests on the bill of more than 100 performers.
Deaf Arts Network development officer Stephanie Linder said the network had been invited to produce the opening and closing ceremonies of the Australian Deaf Games.
"Working in collaboration with internationally acclaimed Strange Fruit Theatre Company, our aim is to put on the most spectacular games show that the Australian deaf community has ever seen," Mr Linder said.
The opening ceremony will be held at The Arena from 5.30pm on January 14, and the closing ceremony will be held from 5pm on January 21 at Deakin University's Costa Hall.