GAMES SPORT: Southern Downs Regional Council is keen to attract teams to the area for pre Commonwealth Games training camps -That is the word from Mayor Peter Blundell.

Cr Blundell yesterday launched the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Pre-Event Training Destination Proposal at Warwick hockey headquarters, one of many venues in the Warwick and Stanthorpe areas which have the facilities to attract teams to the region for training.

The 2018 Games are on April 4-15 and many teams will be seeking a training facility near the venue in the lead-up.

"The Council is very excited about the possibility of attracting teams, support personnel and their families in the lead-up to the games," Cr Blundell said.

"There could be repeat visitations if we can get teams for come here before the games. We have many great attractions as well as the sports facilities."

There are endurance events in some of the games sports, including the marathon, triathlon and cycling, and Cr Blundell believes the altitute of Stanthorpe at nearly 1000m above sea level could attract teams."

He made special mention of the world-class hockey facility at Queens Park, the Warwick Clay Target Club Range and the 50m pool at Stanthorpe.

IF you want to see some quality international sports stars on the Southern Downs, keep your fingers crossed.

They will be here in early 2018 if Southern Downs Regional Council and local sports have their way.

Today, the Southern Downs Regional Council launched its Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Pre-Event Training Destination Proposal.

The proposal will be targeted to all countries with Commonwealth Games teams, sporting association in Commonwealth countries and Australian sporting bodies which may receive requests for information on possible games training facilities.

The Commonwealth Games proposal was launched by Mayor Peter Blundell at the Warwick hockey complex at Queens Park, one of many facilities ideally suited as training venues.

The Mayor spoke about many of the facilities in the council area, including the Warwick synthetic hockey field, Warwick Clay Target Club range and the 50m pool at Stanthorpe.

"Stanthorpe is almost 1000 metres about sea level and ideal for training in many sports and so close to the games host city," Cr Blundell said.

The push is on to attract teams in endurance sports, cycling and any sport which plays which needs a playing field or indoor stadium for training.

Some members of a committee from the Warwick and Stanthorpe areas appointed to assist council with the push to attract games teams were at the launch including Warwick hockey life member Sheryl Windle who recalled when the Australian team played a game and trained in Warwick in the run-up to the Sydney Olympics."They had enough squad members for a game which attracted a large crowd," Ms Windle said.

Cr Blundell said a PDF of the proposal would be on the Southern Downs Regional Council website next week and he encouraged people to check out the proposal and forward to any contacts in Australia or overseas who may be keen to help promote the area and bring teams and visitors to the region.

," as well as support personnel and their families in the lead up to Gold Coast 2018