More than 2000 student athletes will aim for glory when they descend upon Footscray in July for the 2016 Southern University Games.
The event, recently launched at Whitten Oval, will include 20 sports and is expected to pump more than $1.5 million into the local economy.
Australian University sport chief executive Don Knapp said Victoria University would host many of the sports in conjunction with its 100th anniversary celebrations.
“Victoria University has strong recreational and elite sport programs, with a number of scholarship students as well as state and national representatives,” he said.
VU deputy vice-chancellor Kerri-Lee Krause said the university was thrilled to be the Southern University Games partner university in 2016.
“Our student-athletes always perform well in the University Games,” she said. “As a first-time host, VU students this year will be able to compete on home grounds with the support of the university community, their family and friends.”
Maribyrnong mayor Cameron McDonald said the council was proud to welcome the students to Footscray.
“Here in the City of Maribyrnong, we absolutely love our sport,” he said.
One of four regional events held simultaneously across Australia, the games serve as the qualifying competition for the 2016 Australian University Games, to be held in Perth in September.
Details: www.southernunigames.com.au
