GMHBA Stadium to host second Festival of Sport

October 3, 2019 BY Hannah Kenny

Alex Viney from Impulse Performance warms up the crowd at the 2018 Festival of Sport. Photo: PETER MARSHALL

GMHBA Stadium will host its second Festival of Sport this Sunday, with the home of the Cats opening its doors to aspiring sportspeople for the free event.

Last year’s inaugural festival – which attracted 15,000 people across the course of its weekend program – has seen event organisers ramp up the activities in a jam-packed one-day celebration of physical activity, health and the diverse nature of sport.

There will be a national SPL skate competition, an all-new Kids Triathlon and medieval jousting displays among the more than 60 “come and try” experiences.

Favourites from the festival’s debut including Obstacool, Geelong Cats Stadium tours, stand-up paddle boarding and the Mik Maks are also locked in to return.

Also featured in the 2019 program is a ‘Healthy Living Zone’ where patrons can receive a complementary express health-check, a remedial massage and free professional health advice. And in the spirit of accessibility, the ‘Active Ageing Zone’ will also offer older adults a range of activities such as seated exercises, Tai Chi and soft tennis.

Festival of Sport program co-ordinator Sue Cormack said attendees’ average stay at the 2018 event was three hours, which was a big endorsement for the activities on offer.

“Last year, people told us ‘We were only going to come for an hour’ and they stayed all day.”

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust chief executive officer Gerard Griffin said the sporting arena was looking forward to meeting rising sport stars in the festival’s second consecutive year.

“We’re thrilled to open up the Kardinia Park Precinct including the pool for both locals and visitors to explore once again.

“The community truly embraced the festival in its inaugural year, and with even more activations catering for all ages, as well as a multi-cultural food village, there will be plenty of opportunities to try something new.”

The 2019 Festival of Sport will be on this Sunday, October 6 from 11am-4pm at GMHBA Stadium and Kardinia Park. For more information, head to kardiniapark.vic.gov.au/festival-of-sport.