A New Era for Regional Sports
More than 2,000 competitors are traveling from across Queensland to take part in 30 sporting events at the North Queensland Games in Mackay. Over the next month, athletes will push their limits in a variety of sports such as swimming, athletics, BMX, and ocean canoeing. The games kicked off with a ceremonial torch lighting and fireworks display, setting the tone for an exciting event.
For many participants, the games offer a unique opportunity to compete close to home, avoiding the need for long and costly trips to larger cities like Brisbane. For middle-distance runner Shailee Mewha, who is just 13 years old, this is a relief. “It’s much easier just to have your own routine, sleep in your own bed, not travel as far,” she said. This sentiment reflects the growing trend of regional athletes seeking local competition opportunities.
This year marks the first time in nearly a decade that Mackay has hosted the month-long event. The North Queensland Games are designed to boost regional participation and are held in a new location every two years. This strategy ensures that different communities across the region get the chance to experience and support these events.
Reviving Local Clubs
The arrival of the games has also provided a much-needed boost to local sports clubs. One such club, Sunset Bay, has taken this opportunity to rebuild its once-thriving outrigger canoeing program. It has been almost eight years since the club last held an outrigger canoeing regatta. Volunteer Renee Martin explained that the club has been slowly rebuilding its membership and competitive experience after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a significant drop in participation.
“To be able to host 140 paddlers here today, it shows support,” she said. “They’ve all come together to support this small club to host a regatta and to help out.” The event saw paddlers working in teams of up to six, navigating 20 kilometres of smooth, tropical ocean. The canoes, which feature a lateral float, have a deep history in Hawaiian culture and a surprising local connection.
“The sport has grown, so it is Australia-wide now, outrigging,” Ms Martin said. “But it was mainly first developed around Airlie Beach, and the Whitsunday Islands were the ones to first commence [races].”
Olympian Returns to Grassroots
The North Queensland Games attract a wide range of competitors, from under-5s to Olympic athletes. Among them is Tori West, an Olympian who will use the competition to prepare for a world-class heptathlon in Austria. The heptathlon combines seven track and field events, making it one of the most challenging disciplines in the sport.
“This is an opportunity to go through competition rehearsal and treat it like a slightly more intense training session,” she said. West has also become an ambassador for the North Queensland Games, aiming to inspire junior athletes to overcome regional barriers through hard work.
“If people are focused enough and determined enough, things can happen,” she said. “It’s not always just a resourcing issue.”
A Month of Competition
As the games continue, hundreds of athletes will be competing on the athletics track and in the swimming pools until Monday. Other competitions, including basketball and disc golf, will run until the end of May. This diverse range of events ensures that there is something for everyone, from young children to seasoned athletes.
The North Queensland Games not only provide a platform for competition but also serve as a catalyst for community engagement and development. With the support of local clubs, volunteers, and athletes, the event is set to leave a lasting impact on the region.
