Masters for Geelong
City to host national mature-age carnival
THE footy season will continue into October when Geelong hosts this year’s AFL Masters carnival.
Sport Minister John Eren and Geelong MP Christine Couzens will today announce funding to help stage the national carnival at Simonds Stadium from October 2-7.
AFL Masters is the premier national football event for players aged 30 and above, and features a men’s and women’s competition. The average age of participants is 47.
Up to 1500 players and their families, as well as 300 coaches from all states and territories, will travel to Geelong for the week-long carnival.
“Bringing the best mature footballers to Kardinia Park will inspire others and reinforce that it’s never too late to lace up the boots and play the sports you love,” Eren said.
“Hosting the AFL Masters is another major sporting coup for Geelong — delivering a fantastic boost for local tourism, jobs and the economy.”
With an influx of visitors across the week, he said the event would also provide a boost to local businesses.
Since it was established in 1980, AFL Masters has grown to 119 teams and features players of all abilities from novice to a footy stalwart.
“With Simonds Stadium now the premier sporting arena in regional Australia, Geelong fans can look forward to even more big events in their own backyard,” Couzens said