2014 INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S GAMES LAUNCHED AT LAKE MACQUARIE

Government funding has been given for the 2014 International Children’s Games to be held from 6-11 December 2014 at Lake Macquarie.

“I’m delighted that the NSW Government is supporting the International Children’s Games,” Member for Charlestown, Andrew Cornwell MP said.

“The Lake Macquarie community is proud to host this important international sporting event and we look forward to welcoming the athletes and their families.

“The International Children’s Games offer the perfect opportunity to showcase NSW’s beautiful Lake Macquarie region to international and interstate visitors to the event. It is expected that the Games will deliver more than $5 million to the local economy,” Mr Cornwell said.

“The 2014 International Children’s Games is exclusive to NSW and Lake Macquarie will be the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to host the event.”

A recognised member of the International Olympic Committee, the International Children’s Games is the largest multi-sport international youth games.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris said: “The International Children’s Games is a globally recognised youth athletic event, which combines sports and educational programs, cultural exchange opportunities and economic development.”

Minister for Sport, Graham Annesley, said: “The Games bring together an alliance of cities and individuals from around the world who share a common goal of forming friendships and promoting health and wellbeing, cultural exchange and education through sport.”

Host city for the 2014 Games, Lake Macquarie City Council was the first Australian city to participate in the ICG, competing in San Francisco in 2008. Over the past five years, there have been close to 80 cities from more than 40 countries represented at each of the Games.

The Games will see participation by more than 2,000 athletes between the ages of 12 and 15, as well as coaches, heads of delegation and city representatives. It is expected that more than 1,500 family members and friends will travel to the Games to support their teams.

For more information about the 2014 International Children’s Games, please visit: icg-lakemacquarie2014.com

Pictured (L-R) at the launch event for the ICG: Jake Higginbottom, Andrew Cornwell MP, Angie Bainbridge, Mayor of Lake Macquarie Cr Jodie Harrison and Lauren Colthorpe.