11th November 2009,

Geelong to host 2012 Australian Deaf Games

The City of Greater Geelong has been announced by Deaf Sports Australia as host city for the 2012 Australian Deaf Games, following a competitive bidding process.

Mayor Cr John Mitchell said winning the event was a great triumph for Geelong.

“The Australian Deaf Games is the biggest deaf sporting event in Australia, and to have it here in Geelong is a fantastic coup for our city,” he said.

“Our first-rate facilities, social and entertainment opportunities as well as our proximity to iconic tourist attractions all make Geelong the ideal place for major events,” he said.

“I know all the competitors and their supporters will have a great time when they come to Geelong, and I hope they get the chance to see everything that our region has to offer.”

“Although this is primarily a sports event, the Australian Deaf Games also provide a great social and cultural festival for the whole community,” Cr Mitchell said.

Held every four years, the Games involve up to 20 different sports and attract competitors from all over Australia and for the first time in 2008, from New Zealand.

Major Events portfolio holder Cr Bruce Harwood said the event organisers were impressed by Geelong’s consistently high standard of venues, the attraction of the waterfront and the professionalism of the Geelong bid.

“Geelong has a lot of experience in hosting major multi-sports events. We’ve been the host city for the Australian Masters Games, the Australian Transplant Games and the Victorian Teachers Games.”

“Our wide range of high quality sports facilities including the Arena, Kardinia Pool, Landy Field and Geelong Baseball Centre played a big part in securing this national event,” Cr Harwood said.

Deaf Sports Australia President Brent Phillips said that Geelong was an excellent choice to host the 16th Australian Deaf Games in 2012.  "The bid by the City of Greater Geelong was outstanding and it presented us with an opportunity to deliver a successful sporting and social event in one of Australia's largest regional cities."

"Interest and anticipation for the 2012 Games is very high in the Australian deaf and hard of hearing community and Deaf Sports Australia is looking forward to partnering with the City of Greater Geelong to host  an unforgettable Games," Mr Phillips said.

The Australian Deaf Games will be held in early 2012.

History

The Australian Deaf Games is one of the oldest sporting events in the world.  The origins of interstate deaf sport competitions can be traced back to 1895 when the Victorian Deaf Cricket team traveled to South Australia for a friendly cricket match.

The first Deaf Carnivals were held as early as 1911 and continued regularly until the Games in its current format started in Sydney in 1964.

Since then the Games have been held every 3-4 years with the 15th and most recent Games being held on the Gold Coast in January 2008.

 

 

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