Mandurah to host new action sport festival

Mandurah is set to host an international festival of action sports from next year, thanks to Eventscorp's Regional Events Program, which is funded by Royalties for Regions.

Speaking at the recent Eventscorp's 2012 Events Calendar launch, Western Australia Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the Action Sports Games Mandurah would feature rounds of the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation's World Cup as well as freestyle motocross (FMX), BMX and skateboarding.

Minister Grylls stated "some of the world's highest ranked action sportsmen and women are expected to come to the calm waterways of the Peel region and one of Australia's best skate and BMX parks in Mandurah to compete at the games.

"It will be the first time the Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup has been held in Australia.

"The State Government has provided funding to develop the Action Sport Games Mandurah over the next four years through Eventscorp's Regional Events Program, which is funded by Royalties for Regions."

Minister Grylls said funding for the program was part of a significant $40million over a four-year commitment to regional events from the Royalties for Regions fund, adding "the State Government recognises the value of regional events and the positive contribution they make to regional communities in making them vibrant, more exciting places in which to live.

"Other major regional events funded by the program include CinefestOZ, Shinju Matsuri Festival and the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series regional engagement program."

Western Australia Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the FMX event would feature WA champion Josh Sheehan, who recently won the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour event in Sydney and finished fourth in the 2011 world standings.

Dr Hames added "the Action Sports Games Mandurah will be broadcast nationally and internationally, showcasing Mandurah and the extraordinary Peel region to hundreds of thousands of potential visitors to WA."

The Western Australia Government will also provide support to 44 smaller, developing regional events in 2012 via Eventscorp's Regional Events Scheme, partly funded by Royalties for Regions.

For more information go to www.westernaustralia.com/events