Million-dollar boost
WHILE events bring millions of dollars into the Southern Downs economy each year, 2012 will be an Olympic year in sports tourism.
As well as major annual events like the Warwick Rodeo and numerous state and national motor sports action, there are many one-off events on the Southern Downs in the year of the London Olympics.
Morgan Park has been chosen as venue for the week-long Barastoc Polocrosse Nationals which are only held in Queensland once every 14 years.
The National Farmers Warehouse International Three-Day Eventing is being held at Morgan Park for a second time at Easter and looks set to become an annual event. While some likely Olympians may be preparing for London 2012, it is expected at least one Olympian will compete.
The Southern Downs hosts a national or international event in orienteering once a decade and this year it is the Easter Three-day Event.
After recovering from the devastating floods of 2010 and 2011 and laying a new surface, the Warwick Hockey Association has snared the Queensland under-13 boys championships in the mid-year holidays.
Warwick Polocrosse Club president Les Fraser said 100 volunteers would help run the championships for up to two weeks.
"I would like to think we will attract a total crowd of 10,000 for the week," he said.
