School’s out, sport is in during winter in Shepparton.
While the bell has rung for the July school holidays, kids in the Goulburn Valley have no shortage of entertainment in their down time with a host of high-level sporting events landing in the region.
It kicks off with the 2024 Hockey Victoria Junior State Championships, running July 3-7 at the Shepparton Regional Hockey Centre.
From the field to the court, Goulburn Valley Squash Club hosts its 2024 Greater Shepparton International Squash Tournament from July 4-7.
Finally, mud, sweat and gears take centre stage during the Fruits of the Valley Cyclo Cross spectacle, held July 6-7.
The trio of events will draw thousands to the region and provide a significant economic injection boost, with City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali welcoming all with open arms.
“We are excited to be welcoming over 1500 visitors to the region across the three events to help boost our business sector and enhance our reputation as the regional sporting event capital,” Sali said.
“We hosted the Hockey Victoria Junior State Championships in 2021 and it is a real feather in our cap and a big tick for Shepparton Sports City that Hockey Victoria have brought the event back to Greater Shepparton with the event traditionally held in Melbourne.
“We continue to strengthen our relationship with Squash and Racquetball Victoria, having hosted the Shepparton International event for the past decade.”
Shepparton will serve as a temporary home for hundreds of players and spectators from across the state for the duration of the 2024 Hockey Junior State Championships.
Meanwhile, overseas athletes from 12 different countries will touch down in the Goulburn Valley for the 2024 Greater Shepparton International Squash Tournament.
The main draw has doubled since 2023 with approximately 50 competitors in the senior graded event, much to the delight of Squash and Racquetball Victoria general manager Dennis Makaling.
“The Shepparton Squash International is in the first year of a new three-year partnership with Squash and Racquetball Victoria,” he said.
“There is an exciting mix of local and foreign players and also upcoming stars and experienced top players.”
At the weekend, big numbers are expected at Shepparton Cycling Club for another bumper edition of the Fruits of the Valley Cyclo Cross.
The two-day event shapes as a great chance to catch some of the best cross-country cyclists in Australia take on a gear-grinding, mud-flinging course in search of glory.
It is a gold coin donation entry that will go towards charity.
This is a fully-catered event, including wood-fired pizzas, local beers and ciders, a coffee van, specialty barbecue and a canteen.