Council welcomes major sporting events to shire

Published on 24 February 2020

Council welcomes major sporting events to shire.

Colac Otway Shire Mayor Cr Jason Schram says major sporting events such as the Colac Junior Basketball Tournament and the 2020 AFL Marsh Community Series provide significant opportunities for businesses and the wider community to showcase Colac and its quality facilities.

“Colac welcomed under-16 and under-18 basketballers and their families from across Victoria on the weekend and we are expecting about 3000 under-12 and under-14 players and their families to be in Colac next weekend,” Cr Schram said.

“These events bring people to our shire who might never have visited Colac before and provide opportunities to showcase our city and encourage repeat visitation.

“Bluewater is a fantastic facility and our community can be really proud of having a quality venue to host regional and state events.

“There will be 75 teams competing, along with parents, siblings and team officials, all spending their weekend in Colac which will boost local businesses, particularly accommodation and eateries.

“The following weekend – the Labor Day long weekend – will then see thousands of people in Colac for the Geelong-Essendon game on Monday March 9, with some of those visitors potentially coming to Colac Otway for a three-day holiday.

“Businesses that open over the weekend will not only get the travellers on their way to and from the Port Fairy Folk Festival, for example, but could also tap into the football crowd before or after the big Colac event (VFL game kicking off at 1.20pm and AFL match at 4.40pm).   

“These major sporting events also provide a huge opportunity for clubs to fundraise, whether it’s the Colac Basketball Association selling food and drinks at the junior tournament or Colac Tigers, Otway, Simpson and South Colac football netball clubs catering at the AFL game.

“It takes a great deal of work and advocacy to attract and host these big events, and we need everyone’s support to continue to bring these huge events to our shire.

“Council is also continuing to seek funding through state and federal grant programs for a range of other projects which further enhance our community.

“Colac Otway Shire Council is also currently upgrading the Western Oval where male and female football teams play; and the Colac Central Reserve netball courts and the Colac Velodrome so netballers and cyclists can also enjoy quality facilities and greater competition opportunities,” Cr Schram said.

“The upgrade of the two netball courts and lighting at Colac Central Reserve, funded by both state and federal governments, will complete the reserve master plan.”