Broome and Kununurra will again host three iconic sporting events this year thanks to a State Government program which assists regional communities to host local events.
The Lake Argyle Swim, national Fat Bike Championships, and Lake Argyle Adventure Race will share in $25,000 from the Country Sport Enrichment Scheme (CSES).
As well as those three events, the CSES will also contribute $9,500 to help stage the Garnduwa Making Her Mark – Women in Sport Forum which aims to bring together women in the Kimberley to boost their participation in sport and recreation, ultimately leading to healthier individuals, families and communities.
The event will be held in March and feature Olympic medallist and former senator Nova Peris, and consist of a training day with practical and classroom sessions.
The three sporting events will each highlight part of the Kimberley’s stunning outdoor environments.
The Lake Argyle Swim will be held on May 2, 2020 and is an open water swim event over distances of 10 kilometres or 20 kilometres, for solo swimmers or teams of two or four.
The national Fat Bike Championships will be held on May 15, 2020 at Cable Beach on a course including natural and improvised beach obstacles.
The Lake Argyle Adventure Race will be held over several days starting in late August. The multi-sport event will involve a swim leg, trail run, mountain bike section and paddle in and around Lake Argyle and the Carr Boyd Range.
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray:
“I’m delighted that these three unique sport events and the women in sport forum will be staged with the assistance of our Country Sport Enrichment Scheme.
“The aim of the scheme is to deliver sport development opportunities in regional WA and, in the case of events, utilise elite athletes to promote the benefits of sport and physical activity.
“I expect each of the sporting events will attract competitors and spectators to the Kimberley, as well as providing locals with the opportunity to compete in a major event without the burden of travel.
“In fact, the Lake Argyle Swim is already sold out and at capacity but I’m told there’s still room for junior swimmers to compete in the Sunday event.”
As stated by Kimberley MLA Josie Farrer:
“The McGowan Government’s support was vital to making sure these sporting events could go ahead – ensuring local participants and spectators can enjoy quality competition in our backyard.
“Sport provides so many benefits to the Kimberley region – giving us all the opportunity to come together and enjoy positive, community-building events and all of the physical and mental health benefits they provide.”
