Masters Swimming NSW Holds Grape Escape Swim Weekend in Griffith in 2015
Wednesday September 24, 2014
Griffith City Council is pleased to announce that Masters Swimming NSW will celebrate its 40th anniversary by hosting a Grape Escape Swim Weekend in Griffith in 2015, expected to attract hundreds of swimmers from Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne and regional cities in NSW.
The Grape Escape Swim Weekend will be held at the Griffith Regional Aquatic Leisure Centre on Saturday and Sunday May 2 and 3, 2015. It is Masters Swimming NSW’s first event to kick-off the 40th anniversary celebrations as well as its first swimming clinic and mini-meet held in Griffith.
“Masters Swimming NSW has wanted to hold some fun adult swimming events like this in the regional areas of NSW for some time and our 40th anniversary provided the perfect opportunity,” said Sue Wiles, Country Vice-President of Masters Swimming NSW. “Griffith was our first choice for this weekend event because some very active and passionate Masters members live there and we also knew our Victorian and ACT swimming friends would be keen to visit and explore the area.”
Griffith Deputy Mayor Doug Curran said Council was delighted Masters Swimming NSW had Griffith on its radar.
“We are so happy to host this important event for their organization as not only will it bring people to our wonderful city but it will encourage local people to engage with one of our important community facilities, the Griffith Regional Aquatic Leisure Centre,” said Councillor Curran, Chairman of the Cultural Facilities Management Committee.
Greg Lawrence, Council’s Manager of Tourism and Economic Development, said events like the Grape Escape Swim Weekend, as well as the NSW Country Women’s Association’s 92nd annual state conference held in Griffith earlier this year, provide significant boosts to the local economy.
“It’s exciting to have the Grape Escape on Griffith’s calendar in 2015, which will make a huge, positive contribution to the local economy,” Mr Lawrence said. “We look forward to welcoming people who are new to Griffith and providing them with an experience that will encourage them to tell their friends and family and return to our beautiful city.”
The Grape Escape Swim Weekend will be run as a Masters event, with officials, including time keepers, and the blend of fitness, friendship and fun that is the motto of Masters Swimming NSW. The event will include a Saturday afternoon coaching clinic with experienced Masters Coaches, a mini carnival on the Sunday open to anyone in the community, 25- and 50-metre races, fun relays, and NSW–ACT–Victoria State of Origin races, and events involving local business and Council luminaries. For more information about Masters Swimming NSW, please visit http://www.mastersswimmingnsw.org.au/.
