Students aim high in the games countdown challenge

Schoolkids have been given a taste of what it might be like to be part of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Selected Year 9 students from all Gold Coast state secondary schools are testing their sporting prowess as part of the Six Months to Go Countdown Challenge today.

Education Minister Kate Jones said a total of 408 students were taking part in the challenge at the Runaway Bay Sport and Leadership Excellence Centre based out of the Sports Super Centre on the Gold Coast.

“All 17 of our state secondary schools on the Gold Coast were invited to choose 24 students from their Sports Excellence programs to take part in the challenge, where they would be inspired to achieve a personal best in three Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games sports,” she said.

“They have the opportunity to experience first-hand what it’s like to compete at an official Games sporting facility in the same location elite athletes from around the world will be training in six months’ time for the Commonwealth Games.”

Ms Jones said students took part in athletics, beach volleyball and hockey with the support of aspiring Commonwealth Games athletes, including 2017 IAAF world championships long jumper Naa Anang, Australian heptathlete Casi Simmons, hockey players Rosie Malone and Michael Francis, para-triathlete Sara Tait, and beach volleyball pair Dylan Adkins and Aimme Coleman. 

“Students taking part in today’s event will also learn about the core values of the Commonwealth Games like good sportsmanship,” she said.

“The event will also have an authentic feel, finishing with a closing ceremony and medal presentation.”

The Department of Education and Training-owned Sports Super Centre will be an official GC2018 training venue for athletics, hockey, beach volleyball and triathlon.

The centre has recently completed more than $5 million in elite facility refurbishments ahead of the Games.

[ENDS] 23 October 2017

Media contact: Jack Harbour 0419 620 447