Gold Coast to host Australian Gymnastics Championships for further two years

Published Friday, 04 November, 2022 at 02:05 PM

Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Gold Coast to host Australian Gymnastics Championships for further two years

Thousands of Aussie families will continue to descend on the Gold Coast annually as the Queensland Government today announced the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre will remain the home of the Australian Gymnastics Championships for a further two years.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said events like the Australian Gymnastics Championships supported local hotels and hospitality venues and supported Gold Coast jobs.

“Hosting the Australian Gymnastics Championships on the Gold Coast allows us to keep building our stellar reputation and boost the region’s visitor economy,” the Premier said.

“Over two years, these championships will attract 15,000 visitors to the Gold Coast.

“That includes 9,000 from out-of-state.

“We’re talking about 64,000 visitor nights in the region and $11.14 million in expenditure.”

 Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said two more years of the Australian Gymnastics Championships were a huge vote of confidence in the Gold Coast.

“With world-class sporting infrastructure and a great Queensland lifestyle, the Gold Coast is a favourite destination for significant national events like the Australian Gymnastics Championships,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“This great announcement delivers certainty for Gold Coast tourism and hospitality operators.

“The good news is we’re expecting more sporting codes to adopt the Gold Coast for their next big event over coming years and creating an early legacy on our green and gold runway to the Brisbane 2032 Games.

“We know when major events are staged on the Gold Coast, they bring thousands of competitors and spectators who invest millions in the local visitor economy and support more good jobs.”       

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the event was yet another reason to visit the Gold Coast and support the Gold Coast economy and Gold Coast workers.

“We have great beaches, a great lifestyle and great events like this,” the Minister said.

Gymnastics Australia CEO Alexandra Ash said the event was an opportunity to see current and future stars.

“The Australian Gymnastics Championships is Australia's premier gymnastics event where the best gymnasts from around the country come together to compete for a variety of titles.

“To see our Commonwealth and Olympic Games heroes compete against the next generation of Australian talent is incredibly exciting and shows the sport’s appeal.

“After calling the Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre home for the last two years, we are delighted to be able to extend our partnership with the Queensland Government and Major Events Gold Coast which will see us host this world-class event in south east Queensland for a further two years.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the event would shine a spotlight on his community.

“We’ve scored a double coup with the Australian Gymnastics Championships to be held on the coast over the next two years (2023-2024),’’ said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.

“This is Australia’s premier gymnastics event and will help showcase our city’s amazing community and sports facilities.

“Post GC2018 Games legacy is alive and well and I applaud the Queensland Government, Major Events Gold Coast and Gymnastics Australia for securing this two-year partnership.”

The Australian Gymnastics Championships is Gymnastics Australia’s premier annual event, in which athletes must qualify to compete for national titles across six GymSports (Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Trampoline Gymnastics, Acrobatic Gymnastics and the fast-paced Aerobic Gymnastics) over a two-week schedule in May and is staged at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre.

The Australian Gymnastics Championships is supported by the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland, in partnership with Major Events Gold Coast.

Media: 0427 475 089 (Minister Hinchliffe’s office)