Launceston welcomes Inclusion Carnival announcement
Published on 02 February 2018
The City of Launceston is delighted at the announcement that it will be hosting the AFL National Inclusion Carnival in June.
Mayor Albert van Zetten said the carnival, which will be played across a number of venues in Launceston, will be an incredible experience for all players and would help drive participation in the sport regardless of ability levels.
"This carnival is a tremendous initiative by the AFL and provides a platform for people with an intellectual disability to showcase their incredible talents and abilities to a much wider audience. In the lead up to previous carnivals myself and a number of Aldermen have been involved in the teams practice matches and have witnessed the passion and camaraderie the team" Mayor van Zetten said.
"I'm absolutely delighted the City of Launceston, along with AFL Tasmania and New Horizons Tasmania, was able to secure this carnival for the city.
The carnival will see teams from across the country compete in a series of pool matches at venues such as the UTAS Mowbray Oval, Youngtown Oval and the NTCA Ground.
The carnival includes an opening ceremony at University of Tasmania Stadium, with the finals set to be played as a curtain raiser to the Hawthorn versus Gold Coast Suns game on Saturday, June 23.
Competitors will also have access to the Launceston Leisure & Aquatic Centre for rehabilitation and educational courses, while sports trainers and University of Tasmania Exercise Science students will be at each game to provide strapping and support to the teams.
"I'm absolutely certain that the people of Northern Tasmania will support the players while they're in our beautiful city," Mayor van Zetten said.
"I'd also like to thank the New Horizons Tasmania group, as well as Tourism Northern Tasmania and the Hawthorn Football Club, who have been extremely supportive of the carnival and for their help in coordinating this event."
Tasmania topped its pool at last year's carnival in Queensland before losing its final match against South Australia by just four points.
The Launceston carnival will run from June 18 to 23.