Cairns set for North Queensland Games

CAIRNS is set to host the largest multi-sport event in regional Australia from 3-6 May next year, in the form of the North Queensland Games, set to attract over 3,000 participants across 30 sports.

Cairns Regional Council and the North Queensland Sports Foundation (NQSF) have partnered to deliver this iconic event for our regional sporting communities.

The North Queensland Games, now in its 40th year, will feature a range of sports including Olympic, non-Olympic, indoor, outdoor, team sports and extreme sports.

A recent launch event marked the beginning of the countdown to the Games, with the official opening ceremony to take place on Friday 3 May 2024, bringing together North Queensland locals in celebration of our active sporting communities.

Adding to the excitement, dual Paralympic medallist, Grant “Scooter” Paterson, has been named as the 2024 NQ Games Ambassador.

NQSF CEO Stephen Farrell said Patterson’s dedication to promoting sports and fostering a spirit of unity aligned perfectly with the values of the NQ Games.

“His role as ambassador is expected to bring an extra layer of enthusiasm to the event,” Mr Farrell said.

Cairns Councillor and NQSF Chair Cr Rhonda Coghlan said the games would provide a significant impact to the local economy.

“With an estimated 3,000 plus competitors expected to descend on the city, Cairns will experience a significant economic injection to the tune of around $2-$3 million, not to mention the social and athlete development opportunities it brings with it,” she said.

“Grassroots sports and events like the North Queensland Games also offer a unique and important pathway for local athletes, providing a foundation for our local kids to see themselves becoming our nation’s future Olympians and sporting heroes.”

Mr Farrell is confident the event will be a highlight for the region and is looking forward to seeing the city come to life with sportspeople, officials and spectators from across the region.

“Communities across North Queensland are sporting fanatics and the Games provide a very unique platform to compete against neighbours in friendly rivalry,” he said.

“With all the hype and excitement mounting for the 2032 Olympics to be hosted in Queensland, our North Queensland Games are expected to be bigger, better and more competitive than ever before.”

The Queensland Academy of Sport are scheduling sessions to be included aligning with the You for 2032 program, the program is designed to identify, develop, and provide a pathway for potential regional Olympians to compete in the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.

Athletes, sports enthusiasts, and anyone interested in being a part of this fantastic sporting extravaganza can find more information and register to host an event at the official NQ Games website.

Keep up with the latest news in Cairns and the Far North, and check out some of our top stories this week: Cairns moves to new cultural beat and Students love CQU.