Australian University Games underway on the Gold Coast

The 2011 Australian University Games (AUG) officially began on Sunday evening with an Opening Ceremony held at Dreamworld, attended by 4,500 of the 6,700 student competitors from around the country who gathered to celebrate the Games.

Games officials, city councillors, university representatives and sponsors were welcomed at an exclusive function held at Tiger Island including a night time tiger presentation.

Special guests included Games patron Vicki Wilson; Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke; Queensland Minister for Sport Phil Reeves and Australian University Sport President, Professor Richard Larkins.

Speaking at the opening, Australian University Sport Chief Executive Don Knapp, acknowledged the cooperation of the Gold Coast City Council, stating that the Gold Coast had become "the spiritual home of the Games."

Mayor Clarke said he was thrilled for the AUG to be home on the Gold Coast again this year, after successfully hosting the 2007 and 2009 games, adding "we're an event city, we've got the facilities and the experience for a major event like this."

The Games will be contested at 30 venues across the Gold Coast and surrounding areas, bringing nearly 7,000 students from 41 universities to the coast for the week.

The local hospitality industry is also set to benefit from increased business with social events organised for students throughout the week at various bars and nightclubs.

Team managers and coaches commented on the convenience of the Gold Coast as the location for the Games with James Cook University's Matt Yates and Jason Ansell commending its centrality and buzzing nightlife as major advantages.

Matt Yates explained "we came to the Gold Coast in 2009 and again last year in Perth; 'the Goldy' wins hands down.

"The locations for the sports are all easy to get to and the students love social scene of Surfers Paradise."

Minister Reeves pointed out that hosting AUG will help the bid for the Gold Coast to host the Commonwealth Games in 2018, stating "this shows that we can host big events, we've got extensive sporting facilities, accommodation and entertainment venues and we've proven that we're capable of holding larger events such as Commonwealth Games."

The sporting action continues until Friday evening.

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