The Thompsons Beach round of the National Beach Volleyball Tour has hit a hurdle, with sponsoring limitations possibly spelling disaster for the event.
Held across the Australia Day weekend, the tour’s stop-off is usually co-ordinated by not-for-profit organisation Cobram-Barooga Business and Tourism.
Having worked tirelessly to secure a spot on the tour for Thompsons Beach, organisation chairman Don Rudd is devastated at the prospect of forfeiting the event.
“We are really disappointed, but with COVID-19 really limiting the capacity of our usual sponsors and reduced funding for this event from council, without help or a new sponsor from somewhere we just can’t afford this event,” Rudd said.
The event has run at the popular Moira Shire setting since 2018.
But, shy of a cash injection, it will skip town for other destinations — taking with it the massive boost to local accommodation and hospitality sectors.
Cobram-Barooga Business and Tourism has indicated the cost of hosting a national event is about $60,000 and, while it can raise up to $30,000 with the support of council, a large shortfall remains.
Rudd issued a plea to businesses and individuals to assist in keeping the event in Cobram-Barooga in years to come.
“If there was anyone out there that was in a position to support this event, if even just for this year, we’d love to hear from them,” Rudd said.
“It would be such a shame to lose this event after our success in building it to its current reputation and status.”
Adding insult to injury is the potential loss of the Australian under-19 and under-21 Beach Volleyball Championships, also scheduled to be held at Thompsons Beach during the Australia Day week.
Rudd said the area would enjoy widespread benefits if the commitment by Volleyball Australia holds up.
And, of course, if Cobram-Barooga retains its spot on the national tour.
“This would have doubled the duration and attendance at the event, and based on other years we anticipate it would have generated in excess of $250,000 of economic activity over the week,” Rudd said.
“(It is) something we could certainly do with right now, providing a much-needed shot in the arm for our local accommodation, hospitality and tourism businesses following the worst year imaginable for these industries.”
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