Australian Drilling Attachments

Australian Deaf Games head to the Hunter

Fraser Nelmes Jones courtesy NCC2
More than 1,000 athletes will converge on Lake Macquarie and Newcastle for the 2022 Australian Deaf Games following the success of a joint bid by the two cities to host the prestigious multi-sport event.
 
Deaf Sports Australia General Manager Garry West-Bail joined the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Nuatali Nelmes, and Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Councillor Kay Fraser, to announce the Games location.
 
“The Games will draw Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes and supporters from across Australia and the Pacific to the Hunter, providing a significant boost to local businesses and bringing one of Australia’s most vibrant and inclusive sporting events to the region,” Mr West-Bail said.
 
Events will be spread over more than a dozen venues across the two cities, with dynamic opening and closing ceremonies to be held at the No 2 Sports Ground, in Newcastle. A centrally located Games Hub will serve as a base for registrations, media, workshops and other activities. 
Athletes will compete across a range of sports including futsal, basketball, beach volleyball, golf, swimming, darts, athletics, rugby sevens, cricket and tennis.
 
Cr Nelmes said both Newcastle and Lake Macquarie had strong reputations for delivering world-class sporting events, such as the 2015 AFC Asian Cup football tournament, Newcastle 500 Supercars, 2013 Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games and the 2014 International Children’s Games.
 
"We are thrilled to join Lake Macquarie in announcing yet another events coup for Newcastle and the Hunter today," she said. "We boast a strong history of hosting international sporting events, and I've said before that we could easily host the Commonwealth Games in similar partnerships with other councils.”
 
Cr Fraser said the Deaf Games competitors, officials and spectators would be warmly welcomed to the region by the host communities.
 
“Combined, our cities offer a wealth of quality sporting facilities, all conveniently located within close proximity, and a magnificent, relaxed environment in which participants from across Australia and the Pacific can come together to meet, compete and play,” she said.
 
“Deaf Sports Australia board member Alex Jones, who headed 2018 Games organising committee, congratulated Newcastle and Lake Macquarie on their successful bid.
 
The final dates for the 2022 Australian Deaf Games are yet to be formalised but it is likely to take place in April. Deaf Sports Australia will recruit a Games Organising Committee to oversee the coordination of the event.
 
The 2022 Australian Deaf Games are supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

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