Sports fun in the sun
THOUSANDS of people took the opportunity to test their sporting prowess on the hallowed turf of GMHBA Stadium as part of Geelong’s Festival of Sport at the weekend.
The two-day event drew more than 14,000 people to the Kardinia Park precinct, which hosted a variety of activation sites, stadium tours and more than 30 sports clinics.
Among the most popular activities on offer was stand-up paddle boarding at the Kardinia pool, tours of the Cats’ football department and an all-girl kick-to-kick with Cats AFLW stars.
A group training session with Michelle Bridges kicked off the festivities on Saturday while kids enjoyed the inflatable obstacle course and Geelong Addy paper toss game.
The Bike and Blend station, where people could ride an exercise bike to power a blender creating healthy juices and smoothies, was also a crowd favourite favourite.
Rounding out the event was Melbourne Rising’s clash with the Western Force at GMHBA Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Kardinia Park Stadium Trust CEO Michael Brown said there is a view to making the festival an annual fixture on the calendar.
“We’ve had amazing feedback about making the venue more community accessible and positive feedback that it has been free and fun,” he said.
“I have been fortunate to be associated with a lot of international events but none come close to the community spirit which was fostered at the Festival of Sport p over the last two days.”