Up to 3000 of Victoria’s top teacher-athletes will descend on Geelong in September as a state-wide event returns after a decade elsewhere.
Geelong recently won the right to host the Victorian Teachers’ Games for the next two years in a homecoming for the event.
“We’re very pleased to be welcoming the Victorian Teachers’ Games home to Geelong, where the concept was born in 1996,” Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said.
Geelong staged the first Victorian Teachers’ Games that year and last hosted the event in 2007.
The inaugural event featured about 1000 competitors, including legendary Australian distance runner Steve Moneghetti and champion Geelong footballer Garry Hocking.
The 24th Victorian Teachers’ Games will feature more than 40 activities at Geelong’s sporting facilities and waterfront from 22 to 25 September.
“It’ll be a fantastic week of competition and celebration, and we look forward to the arrival of teachers from all around the state,” Cr Harwood said.
“I have no doubt participants will enjoy our region’s high-standard sporting facilities, and the recreational and social aspects on offer as well.”
The multi-sport event will then return for its 25th anniversary in 2020.
School Sport Victoria chief executive officer Rayoni Nelson said the games would give teachers a unique opportunity to build comradery.
“School Sport Victoria is thrilled to see the games return to their foundations in Geelong.”
Event organisers will change 25 per cent of games’ program from 2018 to give teachers a range of new activities.
They encouraged teachers to visit www.victeachersgames.com.au. Registrations open in June.
