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Uni Students Converge On Latrobe Valley For Challenge

An estimated 650-700 university students are expected to begin converging on the Latrobe Valley over the weekend to participate in the ‘Latrobe City Challenge’

By Latrobe City Council - 2nd July 2007 - Back to News

a sporting event being held by Australian University Sport (AUS) at sporting venues across Latrobe City next week.

The Challenge will officially open on Monday 2 July at 5.30pm at the Latrobe Leisure Traralgon Sports Stadium; with an official ceremony followed by a ‘Warm-Up’ game, and then the first game of the men’s basketball competition.

Six sports are being contested by the participants during the week: Australian rules football, basketball, lawn bowls, netball, soccer, and touch football. All events are free to the public and spectators are more than welcome to visit venues and see some high quality sporting competition.

Latrobe City mayor, Cr Tony Zimora, urged a warm welcome for the visitors, saying it was great to have so many young people, many with great sporting careers ahead of them, visit the municipality at the one time.

"Council is very excited to be able to host the Latrobe City Challenge and work with Australian University Sport once again.

"Importantly for our community, the Latrobe City Challenge also provides numerous opportunities for sports lovers of all persuasions in our community to view the high-level competition taking place; as the general public will be welcome as spectators at the events at no charge," Cr Zimora said.

Behind the scenes, council staff have been preparing venues for the events. A dedicated band of volunteers have also swung into action to ensure the Challenge runs smoothly, so that participants return to their homes after the competition with fond memories of their time in the Latrobe Valley.

Latrobe City Challenge volunteer coordinator, Matthew Dunn, said more than fifty volunteers are helping out in all aspects of the Challenge, from assisting with the sporting events and special events to administration and logistics.

"We started recruiting volunteers in March from the universities, enabling students not participating in the sporting events themselves to still be part of the Challenge. Locally, numerous volunteers from a wide range of sporting groups across the Valley, have also put their hands up to help out," Mr Dunn said.

"A daily newsletter will be created for event participants and all those involved in the Challenge. The newsletter will contain news of activities taking place and results from the previous day’s program. The Latrobe City Challenge also offers a four-night social program for the participants, with a different theme being presented each night for the participants to enjoy.

"We want this to be very successful. It takes months of work to organise an event of this stature and it’s fantastic that all that work is now going to eventuate in a great week of sport," Mr Dunn added.

Further information on the Latrobe City Challenge is available from the Australian University Sport’s website www.unisport.com.au

2007 Latrobe City Challenge

Sports Schedule

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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