Latrobe City Council endorsed the recommendations of the Tourism and Major Events Advisory Committee at its most recent Council meeting.
The recommendations included that Council funds two events through the Major Events attraction budget, those being a 2023 Deakin Melbourne Boomers Women’s National Basketball League match and the 2024 – 2026 Baseball Victoria U16 Winter Championships.
This funding will allow Council to support the Deakin Melbourne Boomers’ return to Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium for the fourth year running, to compete in an in-season Women’s National Basketball League match.
This event will be broadcast live on streaming platforms 9Now and FIBA YouTube, ensuring national and international exposure for Latrobe City.
The event will also provide opportunities for local community engagement, allowing residents to actively participate and immerse themselves in the basketball festivities.
Hosted in Latrobe City for the past three years, the Baseball Victoria U16 Winter Championship is set to return for an additional three-year period.
This event will see up to 200 of the best Under 16 baseball players from across Victoria compete over two days in a round-robin style championship at venues in Traralgon and Morwell.
This event has been well supported by the local baseball associations. Baseball Victoria is excited for the continuation of this event.
Mayor of Latrobe City Council, Councillor Kellie O’Callaghan, said Major Events are a fantastic way to bring visitors to our region.
“Council will contribute $10,000 to the Basketball match, which will bring an estimated economic impact of $289,130 to the region. Baseball will also bring a great estimated economic benefit of $175,000, with a Council spend of $5,000,” said the Mayor.
“Major Events like these create an opportunity to showcase the region and our impressive sporting facilities to a wider audience, whether it be those who attend in person or who watch the live stream locally or across Australia, and in some instances internationally.
“As the region prepares to be a host city for the Commonwealth Games Victoria 2026, we hope that these events become permanent fixtures on our sporting calendar and further solidify our standing as the regional sporting events hub for southeast Victoria.”
