The biggest event ever lured to the region is coming to the Illawarra following the announcement Wollongong is securing the rights to host the UCI Road World Championships in 2022.
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Kiama MP Gareth Ward said the significance of the major cycling event can not be underestimated.
“This is the biggest event we have ever pulled off for our region,” he said.
“This is an absolutely tremendous achievement for Wollongong. There will be an international viewing audience of around 200 million people, 300,000 spectators and 500 media outlets staying in the region. And more than 1000 competitors from more than 50 countries.”
The championship event will see junior, under 23 and elite male and female athletes compete in road race, individual and team trial events.
Mr Ward described it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase Wollongong and surrounds to a massive global audience. And it was made possible by the NSW Government, Wollongong City Council, Destination NSW, the Office of Sport and Destination Wollongong working together.
“One of the things that lends itself to these championships is the stunning natural attractions of our region that are obviously going to be the backdrop. This builds on many major events we have been able to secure such as Wigan and Hull, Gridiron, the World Body Boarding Championships and The Fed Cup World Group Championships”.
Mr Ward said such events were a priority because they brought millions of dollars to our region and its businesses. And highlighted everything so special about living in the region that is so easy to take for granted.
“It is an enormous success that everyone can celebrate. I am frequently told to get on my bike as a politician. And I am encouraging people who are better at it to do just that.”
The major international event will involve a road race through several local government areas so the whole region will benefit. Mr Ward said it will be a very proud day when he sees the world’s best international cyclists riding around Flagstaff Hill, down Terralong St, Kiama, up Macquarie Pass or next to Shell Cove Marina.
Accommodation providers and many other businesses will benefit from all the competitors, teams, supporters and fans. And that was a result of people such as Mark Sleigh and Jeremy Wilshire doing “an absolutely fantastic job”.
“We are all on Team Illawarra which has won the day. This event has been held all over the world. The fact it is coming to our region is just so incredibly special. We are going to have millions of people looking at our region. A lot of those people will have never heard of us before who will take a look at our beaches, our waterways and the attractions as these cyclists ride through our region. I think a lot of people are going to say “I would like to visit there”.”
“This is the state’s third major international sporting event as part of the 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative. I am so excited by this. It is something that has come about as a result of people focusing on putting the region first. People working as a team and getting results.”
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
