Mount Gambier will celebrate all things footy in the lead up to the AFL Gather Round with \u2018Before the Bounce\u2019 community activities to be held from Saturday, March 23, until Sunday, April 7.<\/p>\n
More than 40,000 people are expected to travel through Mount Gambier on the way to the Gather Round in Adelaide.<\/p>\n
Before the Bounce is a program of footy based events and activities to be held throughout the city designed to capitalise on the influx of visitors.<\/p>\n
City of Mount Gambir Mayor Lynette Martin said, Mount Gambier was a proud sporting city with a particular love for Australian Rules Football.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are a destination in our own right and we welcome visitors who are making the pilgrimage to Adelaide for the Gather Round to kick start their footy weekend, play and stay in our city,\u201d Mayor Martin said.<\/p>\n
City of Mount Gambier manager economy, strategy and engagement Biddie Shearing said Before the Bounce leverages the timing of school holidays and coinciding events such as Fringe Mount Gambier.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe aim to maximise visitor participation and boost the local economy while celebrating our city’s vibrant sporting culture and the essence of Australian Rules Football,\u201d Ms Shearing said.<\/p>\n
The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre will lead the charge with a creative space called \u2018Straight to the Pool Room!\u2019.<\/p>\n
Riddoch Arts and Culture Centre director Ashleigh Whatling said this immersive experience would focus on the fans and families of regional football and will feature Naracoorte resident Andy Munro\u2019s extensive football guernsey collection, a guernsey design competition, footy card selfies and other activities tailored for every age group.<\/p>\n
The Riddoch will also host a film screening of the beloved 1980s football classic, \u2018The Club\u2019 presented by Mount Gambier\u2019s own Drag King Loveit Murray on Wednesday, March 27, at 60pm.<\/p>\n
The Mount Gambier Library will lean into the footy flashback theme, reflecting on some of the local legends within our community and stories from days gone by.<\/p>\n
Community members are encouraged to take part and bring in some of their own memorabilia to share.<\/p>\n
Manager library and community development Georgina Davison said they would also host a pom pom craft activity and find the football competition with an AFL football signed by Geelong Cat\u2019s player Brad Close.<\/p>\n
The SANFL will host a free junior footy clinic facilitated by SANFL game development staff at Frew Park on Thursday, March 28 at 4.30pm including a special display featuring the SANFL and 2024 AFL Premiership Cups.<\/p>\n
Businesses and the community are encouraged to \u2018wear your colours\u2019 on the Friday of the Gather Round \u2013 Friday, April 5.<\/p>\n
Council is working closely with South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC), AFL and SANFL to bring Before the Bounce activities to the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cCouncil staff have done a fabulous job to pull together this event program for our residents and visitors to enjoy,\u201d Mayor Martin said.<\/p>\n
Find out further information at Before the Bounce.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mount Gambier will celebrate all things footy in the lead up to the AFL Gather Round with \u2018Before the Bounce\u2019 community activities to be held from Saturday, March 23, until Sunday, April 7. More than 40,000 people are expected to travel through Mount Gambier on the way to the Gather Round in Adelaide. Before the […]<\/p>\n