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The Arafura Games
The Arafura Games are on in Darwin 7th to 14th May 2011 and unlike the Olympic Games or a World Championship, the Arafura Games is not an event pitched at the world's most elite athletes. The Games is a development Games for the athletes of our region to use as a stepping stone. As such, competition is offered to regional and development teams to mix with national teams and experience the quality of an international event.
Sporting Neighbours
The countries of the region are invited to come together as friends and sporting neighbours to compete in a competitive sporting environment. The Arafura Games is a vessel through which friendship and goodwill between competing nations can be fostered and strengthened.
Sharing Knowledge
The Arafura Games not only offers competition and development opportunities for athletes but also endeavours to be of benefit to coaches, administrators, officials and other support staff. At every Games, opportunities such as accredited conferences, coaching and officiating courses are offered. In addition, the Arafura Games conducts an ‘Adopt a Country’ program throughout Northern Territory schools. This program encourages the sharing of knowledge between countries. Schools research their designated country and during the event find opportunities to support and interact with their adopted country teams. The Games welcomes any requests for such services from visiting countries.
History
From its humble beginnings, the Arafura Games is now recognised as a leading international sporting competition for the developing athletes of the Asia Pacific region. Held every two years in Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, the Games is billed as a meeting of "Sporting Neighbours" and attracts competitors from all parts of Australia, nations throughout the Asia Pacific and beyond.
The Arafura Games began in 1991 as the Arafura Sports Festival with 1500 participants from seven countries competing in 13 sports. By the time the eighth Games were held in 2005, participation had soared to more than 3,000 athletes representing 32 nations, with competition in 30 sports. Over the years, tens of thousands of athletes, spectators, officials and volunteers have been involved.
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