Australia Day Beach 5s Festival in Newcastle Cancelled Due to Hazardous Winds
Organisers of the Beach 5s Australia Day Festival in Newcastle have made the difficult decision to cancel all events scheduled for Nobbys beach on Monday. This announcement comes after damaging winds swept through the site overnight, significantly compromising safety conditions for players, officials, spectators, and volunteers.
Safety Concerns Force Event Cancellation
The cancellation includes both the highly anticipated All Star Legends Game and the Liam Gallagher Trophy matches. Event management confirmed the decision was made following thorough consultation with the event director and their team, alongside a comprehensive assessment of the venue conditions.
Current weather forecasts for January 26 indicated ongoing hazardous conditions, with a wind warning and hazardous surf warning remaining in place for the Hunter region throughout Monday. The cool change that moved into Newcastle overnight brought with it these dangerous wind patterns that ultimately forced organisers to prioritise public safety above all else.
Organisers Express Disappointment and Gratitude
In their official statement, Beach 5s organisers acknowledged the disappointment this cancellation would cause for All Star Legends, supporters, and event partners who had been looking forward to the Australia Day program. "We understand the disappointment this causes for everyone involved," the statement read.
Despite the cancellation, organisers expressed gratitude for the successful Newcastle Tournament that had taken place over the preceding two days, noting it was their largest and most successful tournament to date. They concluded their statement with optimism for future events, saying, "We can't wait to come back, bigger and better next year."
Newcastle Harbour Swim Proceeds as Planned
While the Beach 5s festival has been cancelled, the Newcastle Harbour Swim is proceeding as scheduled. The first swimmers are expected to enter the water from 10am on Monday, demonstrating that not all Australia Day events in the region have been affected by the challenging weather conditions.
The contrasting decisions between these two major Newcastle events highlight how organisers must make individual assessments based on specific venue conditions and safety requirements for each activity.
