Major funding boost for 1997 Goldfields Regional Games

24/5/96

Next year's Goldfields Regional Games have received a major funding boost from Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore.

Mr Moore said $15,000 would be made available to help run the games over the Anzac Day long weekend in April.

About 2,000 people were expected to take part in the three-day event at Esperance. It was the second Goldfields Regional Games; the first were held in 1993, also in Esperance.

Mr Moore said the games were a major event for the region, with nine local authorities being involved. They were Coolgardie, Dundas, Esperance, Laverton, Leonora, Menzies, Ravensthorpe, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Ngaanyatjarra Lands Council.

"The games are a unique sporting event for the Goldfields and play a leading role in bringing people from the region together," he said.

"Such sporting events throughout Western Australia are now an important part of regional calendars and give local athletes an opportunity to compete against some of the best in the area."

Mr Moore said the grant was proof that the Government was committed to ensuring that people in regional areas were not disadvantaged when it came to having access to sport and recreation facilities and events. "Staging a festival involving 16 sports, 2,000 participants and nine local governments is a remarkable achievement," he said.

"The games represent a tremendous commitment by the organisers and volunteers and the State Government is delighted to support that commitment with this grant."

Among the sports that will be played are tennis, softball, bowls, triathlon, equestrian, athletics, hockey, motorcross and angling.

Mr Moore also announced that grants totalling $2,700 had been allocated to two sporting groups in the Goldfields.

"The Tennis West Zone 11, based in Esperance, will receive $2,000 to assist with its development plan," he said.

"Its emphasis this year is on developing coaches in the area, as well as extending its skill clinics for juniors."

A grant of $700 has been allocated to the Goldfields Junior Soccer Association.

Mr Moore said the grant was to help with a recent visit to Perth by seven juniors from Kalgoorlie to train for a week at a talent identification camp.

The juniors, aged from 13 to 16, were also trying out for places in the State Squad.

There are 61 junior soccer teams in Kalgoorlie, with about 600 players taking part each week.

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444