Cairns is set to host the largest multi-sport event in regional Australia from 3-6 May next year, with more than 3,000 participants across 30 sports expected to attend.
Cairns Regional Council and the North Queensland Sports Foundation (NQSF) have partnered to deliver the .
Now in its 40th year, the Games will feature a range of sports including Olympic, non-Olympic, indoor, outdoor, team sports and extreme sports.
The 2024 NQ Games was officially launched at the Cairns Hockey precinct on Tuesday 10 October.
Dual Paralympic medallist, Grant “Scooter” Paterson, has been alongside former Australian rugby league representative Libby Cook-Black as 2024 NQ Games Ambassadors.
Cairns Councillor and NQSF Chair Cr Rhonda Coghlan said the games would provide a significant impact to the local economy.
“With an estimated 3,000 plus competitors expected to descend on the city, Cairns will experience a significant economic injection to the tune of around $2-$3million, not to mention the social and athlete development opportunities it brings with it,” she said.
“Grassroots sports and events like the North Queensland Games also offer a unique and important pathway for local athletes, providing a foundation for our local kids to see themselves becoming our nation’s future Olympians and sporting heroes.”
North Queensland Sports Foundations CEO Stephen Farrell said he was confident the event would be a highlight for the region.
“We are looking forward to seeing Cairns come to life with sportspeople, officials and spectators from across the region participating,” Mr Farrell said.
“Communities across North Queensland are sporting fanatics and the Games provide a very unique platform to compete against neighbours in friendly rivalry.
“With all the hype and excitement mounting for the 2032 Olympics to be hosted in Queensland, our North Queensland Games are expected to be bigger, better and more competitive than ever before.”
The Queensland Academy of Sport are scheduling session to be included aligning with the You for 2032 program. The program is designed to identify, develop, and provide a pathway for potential regional Olympians to compete in the 2032 Olympic Games being hosted in Brisbane.
