Boorowa takes a hit as annual sports carnival cancelled

Student’s from St Peter and Paul’s Primary School Goulburn at last years Sports Carnival

COVID-19 has claimed another casualty with the cancellation of Boorowa’s annual Touch and Netball Carnival.

The event, which has been held for more than 20 years, is the biggest carnival in NSW Primary School Sports, attracting more than 4500 children and 7000 spectators from across NSW and the ACT.

Coordinator Julie Harton said that it was a hard decision but in the best interest of the community to cancel the carnival, which was due to be held on 23 October.

Each year students took part in a non-competitive environment and were encouraged to have a go as there were no winners on the day.

“It gives participating school communities an opportunity to see the countryside which generally is very spectacular at this time of year with the canola crops in flower,” Mrs Harton said.

“Each year we are faced with a challenge either before the carnival or on the day, and we have been able to overcome these challenges, but unfortunately COVID-19 proved too good for us.”

As well as being a fun day, the carnival helps to raise funds for St Joseph’s Primary School and Boorowa Central School who host the day.

Mrs Harton said the carnival supported the wider Boorowa community and brought the local community together. 

“We are unable to run the event without our community volunteers who help with line marking, car parking and assisting in the canteens, as well as giving morale support and encouragement,” she said.

St Joseph’s is going to designate a day to have a BBQ and a game of touch or netball for students in place of the carnival.

Plans are under way for the 2021 carnival which is scheduled to be held on 15 October.