Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Masters Games great multiplier for Alice Springs

From 19 to 27 October, Alice Springs hosted the 6th Honda Masters Games. Some 5,000 people, from across Australia, as well as competitors from New Zealand, USA and Hong Kong, travelled to the 'Centre' for this very popular biennial event.

"With our accommodation venues bursting at the seams, the economic multiplier effect for the town is fantastic," said Alice Springs' Mayor Andy McNeill. "We have found that each person spends on average $110 per day over the duration of the Games. This is a great boost for our food outlets, hotels, motels and a range of other venues."

After the 1994 Games, it was estimated they brought between six and seven million dollars into the local economy. With the increase in visitors this year, the figure is expected to be substantially higher.

Describing the Games as a 'marvellous event', Andy McNeill said that Alice Springs looks forward to the influx of competitors aged as young as 25 to over eighty. Some 31 different sports are staged, including track and field, swimming, cycling, a half marathon, and for the first time this year, gliding.

"One of the key reasons for the popularity of Alice Springs hosting the Games is the close proximity of our venues," the Mayor said. "This enables competitors to mingle and meet other sports people, as well as provide spectators with easy access to a range of events."

With the first ever Australian Masters Games staged in Alice Springs in 1986, the town can take the credit for a boom in mature age competition. Currently, there are over 40 Masters events being staged in Australia.

"It is very much a community effort with the Town Council, sporting groups, businesses and community members all putting in to ensure the Games are a fun and festive event, living up to our slogan of 'the friendly games'," said Julie Francis, Masters Games Organiser.

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