The council is hoping to reclaim the title it won in 2017.

Among the sporting events the council helped to organise in the city in the past year were the.-

The council is often lauded for its involvement in environmental initiatives – ranging from solar power implementation and green waste processing to recycling glass back into sand – but a council spokesperson said sport was a high priority for the city, too.

“Sporting events bring our community together,” the spokesperson said.

“They promote and encourage healthy lifestyles, create a sense of belonging and value in the community and provide a social and physical outlet for participants.”

Sports can also be a handy earner for the city.

“Events both large and small are an important economic driver in Lake Macquarie. They help grow visitor numbers and encourage tourism – directly when the events are held, and through a flow-on effect with repeat visitation,” the spokesperson said.

Hosting large events also puts a spotlight on Lake Macquarie.

“Hosting sporting events helps showcase our city to a wide and diverse audience, many of whom may otherwise not be exposed to all that we have to offer. Hosting successful sporting events also builds Lake Macquarie’s reputation as a destination for visitors and a venue for future events and activities.”

Council said the city’s capacity to host elite-level sporting events was increasing with the creation of new facilities such as the Pasterfield Sports Complex and investigations into building a regional-level indoor sports centre at Hillsborough.

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