Cafes, restaurants, hotels and motels will be full this weekend as Orange welcomes 1,000 people to the city for the Junior Regional Touch Football Championship.
Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said he was thrilled Orange City Council was able to score the hosting rights for the competition twice.
“Sports tourism provides an enormous economic boost for the city with comparatively little input from Council,” Cr Kidd said.
“Hospitality, retail and the accommodation sectors get a financial injection while the city’s young people get to witness the best in the state play in their home city.”
Orange City Council’s Sport and Recreation Committee Chair Jason Hamling said the event to be held this weekend would bring in 1,000 players, coaches and officials as well as mums, dads, grandparents and siblings.
“We are excited to be hosting the Junior Regional Touch Football Championships this weekend, where 1,000 kids from ages 12 to 18 will travel from across the state,” Cr Hamling said.
Cr Hamling being interviewed by journalists
“In what is generally a really quiet time in Orange for tourism, I’m proud Council has been able to support this championship both financially and with operational needs.
“We’re looking at an economy boost of over $1 million just from this event. Accommodation in most places is booked with only a few spots left across the board.
“Cafes and restaurants will be full, which is absolutely fantastic and I’m positive the city’s retail stores will receive a much needed boost as families wander the CBD in between games.
“This event is one of the largest in terms of the number of travelling participants we have had here in Orange, on par with the Orange Bicycle Network’s Newcrest Orange Challenge. But because the event is for kids, we expect a much larger group of supporters hitting the city.
“Our Orange Visitors Information Centre staff are taking calls about what’s on in terms of extra activities to fill the time this weekend, and the team is always happy to have drop ins over the course of the coming days.
“There are 120 junior touch teams playing in local competitions in Orange, and I know many of those youngsters will be on the sidelines watching some of the best teams in the state compete.
“The local association is organising the catering for the event so it’ll be a huge boost to them as well.
“It is predicted to be quite chilly with potential for some snow so I hope everyone brings their winter woollies for what will be a great weekend of competitive touch footy.”
The Sydney Scorpions will be competing in this weekend’s competition at Waratahs.
