Professional sports events expected to bring $1.8m to the region

The Gympie region will be spoilt for pro-sport choice throughout June after Council successfully attracted a wide range of state and national sporting events as part of its strategy to better showcase the region as a great place to live, work and play.

The month will be kicked off with Round 4 of the 2019 ‘Ocean Roar’ IRB Premiership Series, which will be held in Rainbow Beach over two days from 1 June 2019. Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) racing is a high-octane event that has a large following in Queensland as competitors from surf clubs fight it out for surf rescue supremacy. This will be the third year that the competition, which simulates rescue situations to test the abilities of drivers and crew, will be held at Rainbow Beach.

From 22-23 June 2019, and for the first time ever, the region will host Round 6 of the 2019 MX Motul Nationals Australian Motocross Championships, which is being held at 237 Bradys Road, Curra, just outside Gympie. The MX Nationals is Australia’s premier motocross championship and this two-day event is expected to attract some of the best motocross teams and riders from across Australia.

The month will be rounded out with the 2019 Tin Can Bay Golf Pro-Am, which is a national event platform for both professional and amateur golfers being held from 27 June 2019. This is the first time the Gympie region has hosted this event.

The estimated economic benefit to the region of attracting these three events has been calculated at more than $1.8 million. Mayor Mick Curran said that attracting such large-scale events not only had economic benefits, but was also a great way to showcase the region and all it has to offer.

“These events give us a great opportunity to showcase all our region has to offer and to generate interest on the national stage, especially with some of these events expected to receive national media coverage,” said Mayor Curran.

Mayor Curran said that attracting events of this calibre is a key economic objective of Gympie Regional Council that can only be achieved by Council working alongside local businesses, clubs and organisations. “Attracting these events requires supportive clubs and business, combined with national-grade facilities that are prepared and maintained to a national standard.”

Mayor Curran said that often as part of negotiations with event organisers, Council incorporates conditions that specifically benefit our local community.

“We make sure that all events that we support are required to market local accommodation options and holiday experiences to their members through their databases. And often the event organisers go even further; for example, the 2019 Tin Can Bay Golf Pro-Am will be running clinics at the local golf club for both adults and juniors throughout the event,” said Mayor Curran.

To find out more about these events visit:

http://lifesaving.com.au/irb/

https://www.mxnationals.com.au/

https://www.pga.org.au/tourns/pro-am/event?id=Q106&season=2019&tour=qld