A total of 968 people participated in the 2023 Bundaberg Cup touch football competition in February, injecting more than $700,000 into the local economy.
Queensland Touch Football has released the registration data from this year’s event revealing the growing interest and its continued benefit to the Bundaberg Region.
All up there were 845 competitors registered for the 2023 Bundaberg Cup across 69 teams, which was a 33 per cent increase in team numbers from the previous year.
When combined with the 69 referees and 1632 spectators the event saw a huge injection into the local economy.
A whopping 76 per cent of participants came from outside of the Bundaberg Region for the event, resulting in about 3538 visitor nights.
Queensland Touch Football CEO Greg Denny said it was fantastic to have so many teams from outside the region travel to Bundaberg this year to support the event.
“This year the Bundaberg Cup was a roaring success, and one of the biggest years' for the event to date,” Denny said.
“It was fantastic to see so many teams from right across the state making the trip to Bundaberg to kick start the touch football season.
“Events like this would not be possible without our partners, and I'd like to thank the Bundaberg Regional Council for their ongoing support.
“Thank you to our community for participating in the Bundaberg Cup this year, and we're looking forward to it being bigger and better in 2024,” he said.
The Bundaberg Touch Cup has been secured for the region in a three year partnership with Bundaberg Regional Council which will also see it return in 2024.
Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey said the Bundaberg Cup was a fantastic initiative which Bundaberg Regional Council proudly supported.
“Events like the Bundy Cup can have such a positive impact on the communities which host them, from an economic boost to the inspiration for the young and young at heart to become more active and involved in their community,” he said.
“The Bundaberg Cup has attracted thousands of competitors and their families to the region since it kicked off in Bundaberg and we’re pleased to see the tradition continue.”
The 2023 Bundaberg Cup was as hotly contested as in previous years and with a $20,000 prize pool is one of Australia’s richest touch football carnivals.
New to the 2023 event QTF also hosted a Beach Activation on the Friday afternoon prior to the competition to showcase touch football to the wider community.
More than 130 attendees engaged with the activation in the afternoon and Surf Lifesaving Queensland supported the event.
