Ballarat embraces Masters sporting competitions

Ballarat is fast becoming the home of national and state Masters sports events with a diverse range of codes including Rowing, Road Cycling, Swimming, CrossFit, and Badminton calling the city home in 2022.  

The recent Australian Masters Rowing Championships, held at Lake Wendouree, attracted more than 1,400 athletes and spectators to the city.  

It is estimated the Masters Rowing event injected $656,000 in total value towards the Ballarat economy across the four-day event. 

In January, City of Ballarat hosted the road cycling nationals bringing another strong field of masters athletes competing across road cycling races. 

The RoadNats brought more than 100 masters competitors to our region for the competition.  

In the coming months, it is anticipated the Masters Swimming Victoria Long Course Championships in July, CrossFit Masters HQ/AFFF National Championships in August, and Badminton Australia Masters Tournament in September and October are expected to attract hundreds more competitors, along with their support crews and spectators, to the region.   

Projections estimate these events will provide a further $264,000 for the local economy and bring a combined 800 masters athletes to Ballarat.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said the city is proud to be able to host these events and showcase Ballarat's world class sporting facilities.  

“Ballarat has such a rich and proud sporting history and being able to welcome these next Masters competitions to our city is another great chapter in that story,” he said.  

“It’s a real honour and privilege to be able to welcome all these great athletes and their support crews, spectators, and families and friends to our region.”  

For the upcoming Masters Sporting Events, City of Ballarat has contributed $15,000 in financial assistance as well as in kind support for some of the events.