All roads lead to Mildura Sporting Precinct (MSP) this October, with not one but three major events scheduled to take place at the multipurpose venue.
The action kicks off on Saturday 8 October when Women’s ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Basketball League side the Bendigo Spirit take on our own Sunraysia Petroleum CBL Men’s Heat Team.
The fixture will also feature a curtain-raiser game featuring our Junior Heat Girls in action from 5pm, before the main event kicks-off at 7pm.
This one-off exhibition game will be a taste of action to come, with the Spirit to return to MSP in December to play for WNBL premiership points against the Adelaide Lighting.
Councillor for Recreation and Events Mark Eckel said local sporting fans will have the opportunity to watch the elite of Australian women’s basketball in action against some of our own local legends.
“What a fantastic opportunity for some of our local talent, and for our local crowds and visitors,” he said.
“Close to 600 tickets are available for this pre-season outing, with close to 1000 spectators expected for the return event against the Adelaide Lighting in December.”
Locals will also have the chance to hear from newly appointed WNBL Bendigo Spirit Head Coach Kennedy Kereama as part of a Coaching Elite Athletes Session on Friday 7 October.
With more than 15 years experience coaching professionally, Kennedy spent more than a decade at the New Zealand Tall Ferns before joining the Spirit ahead of the 2022/23 season.
The session will get underway from 6.15pm at the Mildura Sporting Precinct functions rooms. Registrations can be made online at and close Thursday 6 October.
Focus then turns to Sunday 23 October, when Round 9 of AFLW action descends on the precinct.
Richmond Football Club will take on the GWS Giants for premiership points from 3.10pm, with the Tigers starting the season in great form with three wins from their first five games.
“This will be the first time Mildura has hosted an AFLW premiership game, and to have the Richmond Football Club featured, who have been strong supporters of MSP, is only fitting,” Cr Eckel said.
“There is also a great local connection to the Tigers, with our very own Courtney Wakefield expected to take the field.
“This match will be televised on Channel 7, providing not only the MSP, but our wider region, with national exposure.”
Rounding out a packed October will be the arrival of international rockers Kings of Leon, who will kick-start the Australian tour at MSP on Saturday 29 October.
They will be joined by Australian group The Temper Trap, and a soon-to-be announced Mildura-based support act.
“How lucky are we to be playing host to a Grammy-award winning rock act of this nature?” Cr Eckel said.
“All three of these events are going to be big tourism wins for our region, while also showcasing what Mildura Sporting Precinct can offer in the long-term.
“A big October awaits, and I certainly encourage our community to support each and every one of this unique and amazing events.”
Tickets for all three events are on sale now at or
