- Cairns to host North Queensland Games with 2,000 athletes and 30 sports
- The event will provide an estimated $3 million boost for the local economy
- The North Queensland Games begin with an opening ceremony on 3 May and run until 6 May.
About 2,000 athletes will converge on Cairns this weekend for the biennial North Queensland Games.
An official opening ceremony will take place at Fogarty Park on Friday night before participants compete across 24 traditional and non-traditional sports, with competition finishing on Monday 6 May.
An expected 12,000 people will attend, with close to 5,700 travelling specifically for the Games.
The event will provide an estimated $3 million boost for the local economy with 18,500 direct visitor nights.
The Miles Labor Government is sponsoring the event with $150,000 through the Department of Tourism and Sport and a further $10,000 through Tourism and Events Queensland's Destination Events Program.
During the Games, the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) will also be engaging with the community as part of its Youfor2032 talent identification program, while the QAS' Coach Development Team will be on hand to offer advice to local coaches.
The 2024 North Queensland Games is the 20th edition of the event and marks the 40th anniversary since the inaugural Games in Townsville in 1984.
Quotes attributable to Sport Minister Michael Healy:
"The North Queensland Games represents a wonderful opportunity to not only showcase Cairns as a destination, but also showcase the region's resilience," Mr Healy said.
"The fact that Cairns is hosting one of Australia's largest regional events, in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the floods that followed, is testament to the strength and determination of the North Queensland community.
"This is a celebration of both the region's extraordinary sporting talent and its spirit, and no doubt will bring the wider community together.
"The region has produced some of Australia's finest athletes, and many competing here will have their sights set on representing their country in front of family and friends at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in eight years' time.
"Above all, the Games will give a lift to the Cairns community as the region continues to recover from an incredibly challenging summer."
Quotes attributable to North Queensland Sports Foundation CEO Stephen Farrell:
"The North Queensland Games is the largest regularly run multi-sport event across regional Australia and provides a unique opportunity for grass roots sporting organisations and regional communities. The Games attracts intrastate, interstate and overseas athletes" Mr Farrell said.
"The event has been showcasing the region's immense talent for 40 years and the 2024 edition will be the 19th Games held over that period.
"While the athletes and the competition provide the centrepiece, the NQ Games also creates an opportunity to build connections, and create enduring memories for competitors, supporters and visitors.
"With around 2,000 participants this year, the 2024 NQ Games will be a diverse, spirited, unique and fun event for athletes of all abilities and at all competition levels."
Quotes attributable to Boxer and North Queensland Games Ambassador Leah Rueben:
"This event offers a fantastic opportunity for athletes to test themselves against quality opposition within a genuine multi-sport Games atmosphere," Miss Rueben said.
"Bringing the North Queensland community together also allows us to get to know other athletes on a personal level and forge long lasting friendships."
