The stick has been a traditional part of the games since its formation in 2009. Chief executive Steve Farrell and ambassador, former 200 metre Olympic gold medallist Jon Sieben, stop in Julia Creek and Cloncurry on Saturday morning for event presentations and continue on to Mount Isa. 

When arriving in Mount Isa they intend on handing medals at the junior hockey and the badminton presentations. The opening ceremony will be held at 5pm, before the PBR bullride. 

Competitors would sit in the ring while the formalities of the opening ceremony were made.

Junior competitors would be able to attend the show for free.

They make the competitor and officials’ oaths to play fairly and by the rules, and speeches would be made by Mount Isa City Council and Glencore representatives. State MP Rob Katter would also speak. 

North Queensland Sports Foundation’s CEO Stephen Farrell said there would be 1850 across 23 sports involved in the games. 

“Initially we assumed 2000 to make sure we would have enough competitor packs, water bottles and hats for everyone. There were 1500 in 2015.

“We’ve got some sports that have really embraced the games, and have got a lot of juniors involved.” 

Mr Farrell said the games gave an opportunity for the western Queensland budding athletes to develop and to have a wider range of competitors to compete against. 

“We encourage teams to travel from one venue to another and for teams and clubs to travel from the coastal towns to travel out west and participate.

“Regional kids do have it tough. If you’re in a metropolitan area you have a competition on your doorstep…

“If you don’t have this type of competition (the games) rarely does a regional athlete get exposed to this type of competition.

“The only way they can do it is to spend a lot of money and kilometres to compete in these championships.”