Penrith will again attract the national and international spotlight with an exciting line-up of world-class events being held here this month.
Locals and visitors will be especially spoilt for choice this weekend, with an impressive variety of sporting events on the calendar.
Across the weekend, around 800 competitors from future stars to elite riders will bring the marvel and thrill of BMX racing to Penrith in the 2018 BMX Australia National Series.
Hosted by Penrith BMX Club, the first event of this year’s National Series will be held in St Marys near the Kingsway this Saturday and Sunday.
Spectators are welcome to come along and witness all the action from 9am.
Meanwhile, more than 100 of the best paddlers in the world, including Olympic medallist and slalom world champion Jessica Fox, will compete at the Canoe Slalom Australian Open at Penrith Whitewater Stadium.
The event, which includes free entry, is three days of high intensity racing where the world’s best battle it out to receive crucial ranking points.
Also on the water, Olympians, Australian team members and the top rowers in the country will converge on Penrith for the NSW State Rowing Championships at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.
The NSW State Rowing Championships begins on Friday, February 16 and runs until Sunday afternoon.
Footy fans are also in for a real treat on Saturday night with Penrith taking on the Roosters at Panthers Stadium.
Penrith Mayor John Thain said being recognised as a location of choice for events is great news for our community and the local economy.
“Major events provide a significant boost for our local economy and continue to lift the profile of Penrith as an attractive place to invest and visit,” he said.
“Penrith’s run of world-class events in the second half of 2017 – including the Matildas vs Brazil match, the Defqon.1 music festival, the Penrith Tennis International and the NSW Golf Open – boosted the local economy by nearly $10 million, benefiting local businesses including motels, restaurants and tourist attractions.
“This is another example of the opportunities that a growing city can deliver for its community.”
For more information on Penrith’s upcoming weekend of events, go to visitpenrith.com.au.
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender’s Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.
