THERE could be teams from up to 13 different and diverse countries training on the Southern Downs in the lead up to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games if a plan being put together by the council bears fruit.
Southern Downs Regional Council’s “Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Pre-event Training Destination Proposal”, launched earlier this year, showcases the best of the Southern Downs’ sports fields and facilities, which could cater for many of the sports to be represented at the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
Mayor Tracy Dobie said the Office of the Commonwealth Games had confirmed the Southern Downs as a suitable host for pre-event training.
“Representatives from the Office of the Commonwealth Games undertook an inspection of sporting facilities across the Southern Downs and gave us the green light to proceed with our pre-event training destination plan,” she said.
“Since then, the Southern Downs Pre-event Working Group has been off and running.
“They’ve reviewed the details of all Gold Coast 2018 Games guest countries and have selected 13 diverse countries, drawn from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania, that may find the Southern Downs sporting facilities attractive.
“Our destination proposal has a strong focus on trying to attract teams from these regions to the Southern Downs region to enjoy our world class sporting infrastructure.
“Equally though, we are focused on the prospect of creating opportunities for cultural and educational exchanges, as well as strengthening partnerships with these guest countries.
“Council and the working group are hopeful that relationships forged during the pre-event training stage of the 2018 Commonwealth Games will facilitate long-term ties, with business and tourism opportunities resulting in prosperity for all parties involved into the future.
“The pre-event destination proposal is a prime strategy aimed at increasing the profile of the Southern Downs on the international stage.
“We want to use the destination proposal to encourage athletes and their families and friends to visit and enjoy the Southern Downs region during their stay for the Games,” she said.
