Arafura Games

Emerging Champions

Unlike the Olympic Games or a World Championship, the Arafura Games is not an event pitched at the world's most elite athletes.  The Games is a development Games for the athletes of our region to use as a stepping stone.  As such, competition is offered to regional and development teams to mix with national teams and experience the quality of an international event.

Sporting Neighbours

The countries of the region are invited to come together as friends and sporting neighbours to compete in a competitive sporting environment. The Arafura Games is a vessel through which friendship and goodwill between competing nations can be fostered and strengthened.  

Sharing Knowledge

The Arafura Games not only offers competition and development opportunities for athletes but also endeavours to be of benefit to coaches, administrators, officials and other support staff. At every Games, opportunities such as accredited conferences, coaching and officiating courses are offered.  In addition, the Arafura Games conducts an ‘Adopt a Country’ program throughout Northern Territory schools. This program encourages the sharing of knowledge between countries. Schools research their designated country and during the event find opportunities to support and interact with their adopted country teams. The Games welcomes any requests for such services from visiting countries.