Geelong to host Victorian Teachers Games for next two years

THE City of Greater Geelong has won the right to host the Victorian Teachers’ Games for the next two years, in a homecoming to the event’s original location.

Up to 3,000 teachers from across the state will descend on the Geelong region for the 24th edition of the games from September 22-25, participating in more than 40 sporting and social activities.

The event will then return for its 25th anniversary in 2020.

Geelong’s waterfront, beaches and world class sporting facilities are expected to provide a perfect setting for the games, with organisers planning to tailor events to make the most of the seaside location.

As much as a quarter of the program will be changed from 2018, giving teachers a wide range of new activities to choose from.

Geelong staged the first Victorian Teachers’ Games in 1996, with the inaugural event featuring Australian distance runner Steve Monaeghetti and champion Geelong footballer Garry Hocking among its 1,000 competitors. The city last played host in 2007.

Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood said the city was pleased to see the Victorian Teachers’ Games return.

“With about 3,000 teachers taking part, this is a major event, and will build on Geelong’s proud reputation as an excellent host destination. I have no doubt participants will enjoy our region’s high standard sporting facilities, and the recreational and social aspects on offer as well.

“It’ll be a fantastic week of competition and celebration, and we look forward to the arrival of teachers from all around the state.

School Sport Victoria chief executive officer Rayoni Nelson said VTG24 would offer Victorian school teachers the unique opportunity to network with colleagues, celebrate their achievements and take part in sporting activities to build team camaraderie within their school teams.

Registrations will open in June, and event organisers are encouraging VTG participants to head to victeachersgames.com.au to stay up-to-date with the latest information.