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University Sport Returns - With Latrobe City ChallengeUniversity Sport will return to Latrobe City in 2007 with the Latrobe City Challenge set to warm up the region from 1 – 4 July. By Latrobe City - 7th February 2007 - Back to News Replacing the Southern University Games that were held in the Latrobe Valley in 2005, and as part of a commitment by Australian University Sport (AUS) to hold events in the region every second year until 2009, the Latrobe City Challenge will pit over 1500 university students against each other for four days of intense rivalry.
AUS national programs manager, Tony Jermyn, said the Latrobe City Challenge is a result of the changing nature of university sport after the introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU), with the event hosting a reduced number of sports but opening up to students across the entire country.
"The new Latrobe City Challenge will involve nine traditional sports with a focus on those that our members have embraced with high participation rates.
"While VSU has caused a restructuring of university sport as a whole, the fact that we have been able to adapt to a new environment in offering the Latrobe City Challenge, is not only going to benefit our participants, but it is something we have been committed to providing for Latrobe City as a whole," Mr Jermyn said.
"Latrobe City mayor, Cr Tony Zimora, said council is very excited to be able to host the Latrobe City Challenge and work with Australian University Sport again.
"We are very encouraged by the way Australian University Sport and council have worked together to bring this significant event to the region.
"The success of the 2005 Southern University Games will serve as a springboard from which to launch an even better event for participants and spectators. We welcome this opportunity to once again showcase the region to the university community, and on this occasion, a much more diverse community," Cr Zimora said.
Latrobe City’s manager marketing and communications, Grantley Switzer, said that while the Southern University Games was only open to those university sport members in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, the Latrobe City Challenge will open its doors to all university students across the country, further enhancing the economic benefits to the region.
"After a successful Southern University Games in 2005, where close to $1.5 million was pumped into the local economy, the opportunity to attract students from all over Australia is very attractive and I’m sure we’ll see that economic benefit increase," Mr Switzer said.
The sports to be included in the Latrobe City Challenge are Australian Rules Football, Basketball, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Soccer, Tennis, Touch, Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball.
For further information please contact Toni Lourens, commercial manager, Australian University Sport – telephone 07 3876 2610
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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