A New Era for Regional Sports
More than 2,000 competitors are traveling from across Queensland to take part in 30 sporting events at the North Queensland Games in Mackay. Over the next month, athletes will push their limits in a variety of sports, including swimming, athletics, BMX, and ocean canoeing.
The opening ceremony featured a symbolic torch lighting and a spectacular fireworks display, setting the tone for an exciting month of competition. For many participants, this event offers a unique opportunity to compete close to home, avoiding the long and costly trips to Brisbane that have often been necessary in the past.
For middle-distance runner Shailee Mewha, the games are a relief. The 13-year-old said it was much easier to stay in her own environment, maintain her routine, and avoid long journeys. “It’s much easier just to have your own routine, sleep in your own bed, not travel as far,” she explained.
This marks the first time in nearly a decade that Mackay has hosted the month-long event. The North Queensland Games aim to boost regional participation by rotating locations every two years, ensuring that different communities have the chance to experience and support these competitions.
Reviving Local Clubs
The arrival of the games has also provided a much-needed boost for local sports clubs. One such club, Sunset Bay, has taken this opportunity to rebuild its once-thriving outrigger canoeing program. It has been almost eight years since the club last held an outrigger canoeing regatta.
Volunteer Renee Martin shared that the club has been slowly rebuilding its membership and competitive experience since the pandemic, when participation dropped significantly. “To be able to host 140 paddlers here today, it shows support,” she said. “They’ve all come together to support this small club to host a regatta and to help out.”
The event saw paddlers working in teams of up to six, covering 20 kilometres of smooth, tropical ocean. The canoes, which feature a lateral float, have deep roots in Hawaiian culture and a surprising local connection. “The sport has grown, so it is Australia-wide now, outrigging,” Ms Martin said. “But it was mainly first developed around Airlie Beach, and the Whitsunday Islands were the ones to first commence [races].”
Olympian Returns to Grassroots
Competitors at this year’s North Queensland Games range from under-5s to Olympic athletes. Among them is Tori West, an Olympian who will use the competition to prepare for a world-class heptathlon in Austria. The heptathlon combines seven track and field events, making it one of the most challenging disciplines in the sport.
“This is an opportunity to go through competition rehearsal and treat it like a slightly more intense training session,” she said. West has also become an ambassador for the North Queensland Games, aiming to inspire junior athletes to overcome regional barriers through hard work and determination.
“If people are focused enough and determined enough, things can happen,” she said. “It’s not always just a resourcing issue.”
A Month of Competition
As the games continue, hundreds of athletes will be competing in the athletics track and swimming pools until Monday. Other events, such as basketball and disc golf, will run until the end of May, providing a diverse range of activities for participants and spectators alike.
With a mix of local talent and national stars, the North Queensland Games are not only a celebration of sport but also a testament to the resilience and passion of regional communities. As the event unfolds, it promises to leave a lasting impact on both the athletes and the broader community.
