One of the most talked about events is swinging into town next weekend when Australia’s top pole and hoop athletes compete in Penrith for the very first time.
After previously being held in tropical north Queensland, the 2023 Australian Pole & Ariel Championships will this year take place at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre in Cambridge Park on July 8 and 9.
There, elite athletes will vie for a spot on the Australian team for the upcoming 2023 World Pole & Aerial Championships (WPAC) in Poland.
The Australian Pole & Aerial Championships is an established national competition run by the Australian Pole Sports Federation and endorsed by the International Pole Sports Federation.
Federation Treasurer Deborah Roach, who is a three-time International Pole Champion and born without a left arm, said the event will be of huge benefit to the local Penrith community.
“The 2023 Australian Pole & Aerial Championships will benefit the western Sydney business economy as it attracts athletes and their entourages from all over Australia,” she said.
“The event is also accessible and inclusive, being open to athletes of all genders and backgrounds, from as young as six to 60-plus. We also run Australia’s only para-pole competition category.”
Pole and aerial sports is growing around the world. In 2019, the WPAC had 297 athletes competing from 40 countries.
Penrith will be the new Australian home of pole and aerial sport after a commitment from the Australian Pole Sports Federation to relocate the event from Cairns.
It’s a huge win for the City and State especially after last week’s Origin result.
This year’s event is supported by Penrith City Council through its Major Events Sponsorship Program.
Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said Council was thrilled to be bringing the event to Penrith in 2023.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to have sporting talent from all over the country come together in our City,” she said.
“Penrith is well-known for its achievements in sports and the 2023 Australian Pole & Aerial Championships will showcase something new and exciting.
“Council is proud to be supporting a national event that is inclusive and welcoming for people of all ages and abilities.”
Tickets are on sale now for next weekend’s event and everyone is welcome.
To book, visit events.humanitix.com/australian-pole-and-aerial-championships.
For more information on the sport, visit www.auspolesports.org.
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.
