Shire of Carnarvon hosts Gascoyne Games sports carnival, former Wildcats basketball player meets students

Athletes from wide and far arrived in Carnarvon to participate in the Gascoyne Games event, with a former Wildcats basketball player attending local schools and getting the youth involved. The multi-sport regional event united the Gascoyne region as it was a display of camaraderie and community engagement in more than 11 sporting disciplines. Held over three days from September 1, the Sailing Regatta took off from the Carnarvon Yacht Club jetty, while the Family Fun Day ran from 1pm-4pm on Saturday. There was plenty of fun in the sun for children, including the Fastest Kid in the Gascoyne race. This year’s ambassador Greg Hire, who is a former professional Wildcats basketball player and founder of mental health charity A Stitch In Time, engaged with students in the lead-up to the games, drawing up interest and excitement. “Spending a few days in Carnarvon as part of the Gascoyne Games was fulfilling,” he said. “Sport is a powerful connector, bringing people together irrespective of gender, culture, background and religious beliefs. To play some small part in that was certainly special.” Mr Hire said a key topic was speaking about the fear of failure, which he believes is essential for any young adolescent to comprehend. “Thank you to the Shire of Carnarvon for extending the invitation to be involved and allowing me the opportunity to have an impact. There simply is nothing better,” he said. Other community and sporting groups in Carnarvon that participated included the Shooting Sports Association, Rugby and Touch football, Volleyball, Basketball and Badminton, Windfest, Golf Club, Gymnastics Club, Tennis Club, Horse and Pony Club, Bowling Club, Darts Association and Athletics West. Shire president Eddie Smith said hosting this year’s Gascoyne Games was a great success. “We’ve had a few years without the games, they are now back and I’m so pleased to see the competitors who came out to show their talents in the sports that they love exhibiting a great level of professionalism and sportsmanship,” he said. “We thank them for their contribution and look forward to the next games in Shark Bay 2026.” The inaugural event took place in Exmouth in 1994, and has been hosted by one of four local governments in the Gascoyne region since, including Carnarvon, Exmouth, Shark Bay, and Upper Gascoyne.