24 February 2006

Masters Football Fever Hits the Coast

Maroochy Shire Council is gearing up to host one of Australia’s major annual masters sporting events, the National Masters Australian Football Carnival, at the new Maroochydore Multi-Sports Complex on the Sunshine Coast.

Maroochy Mayor Joe Natoli said a quality event such as this would attract players and their families from across the county to Maroochy Shire.

“To have an event of this kind here in Maroochy is a wonderful way to showcase our region to people from every corner of the country,” Cr Natoli said.

“The 2006 Carnival is going to be held at the end of September which means families already enjoying the beautiful Sunshine Coast will also be able to come along and enjoy the range of entertainment available.”

Division 10 Councillor Mick Hourigan said all States and Territories are being represented with up to 34 State teams across four age divisions from Over 35s through to Over 50s.

“Following the success of the Carnival in Melbourne, Perth, Cairns and Adelaide, players and participants identified the Sunshine Coast as the preferred location for the 2006 event,” Cr Hourigan said.

“This simply highlights how exceptional Maroochy Shire’s sporting facilities are.”

More than 1400 participants and their families are expected to attend the Maroochydore Carnival generating almost $3.5 million in direct spending within the region.

The Masters Australian Football National Carnival has received a $30,000 investment grant under Round Nine of the Queensland Events Regional Development Program (QERDP).

The program is a Queensland Government initiative designed to take innovative and creative regional events to the full potential.

Since the program began in 2001, more than $5.7 million has been invested in more than 265 regional events with Telstra Country Wide being a valued program partner.