The Commonwealth Games Federation discussed the idea of a Millennium Commonwealth Youth Games in 1997. In 1998 the concept was agreed on for the purpose of providing a Commonwealth multi-sport event for young people born in the calendar year 1986 or later.

The inaugural Commonwealth Youth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 10-14 August 2000. 14 countries contested 483 medals over 3 days of competition in 8 sports. A total of 733 athletes and team officials, 280 Technical Officials and around 500 volunteers participated in the event.

Eight sports were contested. These included: Athletics, Fencing, Gymnastics, Hockey, Lawn Tennis, Squash, Swimming and Weightlifting. The success of these Games in Scotland gained the support of the Commonwealth Games Federation who has pledged continued support for a Commonwealth Youth Games to be held every 4 years.

The second Commonwealth Youth Games were awarded to Australia in 2002. Following a formal submission process, Bendigo was awarded the honour of hosting these Games in Australia.

Bendigo is a thriving regional city with a population of 95,000 people.

Bendigo is located in the geographic heart of the southern Australian State of Victoria, 150km north west of the state capital, Melbourne.

The Bendigo region developed from the heady gold rush days in the 1850's that brought thousands of people caught up with gold fever. Gold mining activity continued for over 100 years injected huge wealth into Bendigo. More than 20 million ounces of gold was won, much of which was invested in Bendigo, creating an impressive city of tree-lined streets and fine examples of Victorian architecture.

Tenpin Bowling is a new sport on the Youth Games Program for 2004.

Previous to this, Tenpin Bowling was a successful part of the program for the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. Dragon City Lanes in Bendigo will be the venue for the Tenpin Bowling Competition.

The Dragon City Lanes has recently gone through a major upgrade and was re-opened in February 2004. It is now equipped with 16 synthetically surfaced bowling lanes, fully automatic computerised scoring and video presentation scoring system. Locally owned and operated the centralised sporting facility will provide a great venue for the Commonwealth Youth Games first look at Ten Pin Bowling.

Opening & Closing Ceremony
The 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games Opening Ceremony will be held on Tuesday 30 November 2004 at the Tom Flood Sports Centre. The Opening Ceremony will proudly welcome the athletes and team officials from 24 nations to Bendigo, Australia.

The ceremony will present over 1200 local and regional performers and a 100 piece Brass Band celebrating Bendigo's history through music and movement. The Opening Ceremony highlights monumental icons showcasing Bendigo as a major regional city that flourished from its' significant cultural heritage.

The Closing Ceremony will be held on Saturday 4 December as a red carpet affair at the Bendigo Schweppes Centre. The evening will be a musical celebration set in the Gold capital of Australia. Contemporary entertainment will highlight the trials and triumphs of the exceptional young athletes of the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games.

The Sugar Glider is a small nocturnal possum that can glide up to 90 metres between tree canopies. It is pearl-grey above with a distinct dark stripe along the forehead and back and dark patches behind large pointed ears. Its underparts are pale grey or creamy white with a bushy tail that is frequently tipped white.

The Sugar Glider makes a leaf nest in tree hollows and feeds on nectar, pollen and insects. Sugar Gliders live in family groups and huddle together in cold conditions. They are agile climbers and have a distinctive 'yip yip' shrilled voice. Sugar Gliders are common around forest and woodlands in Bendigo.

For further information, please visit Tenpin Australia Limited or the official Games website at www.bendigo2004.com.

Secretariat
Tenpin Australia Limited
P O Box 239, Beenleigh, Queensland 4207
Tel: 61 7 3807 8404
Fax: 61 7 3807 4789
Email: info@tenpin.org.au

Venue
Dragon City Lanes
159 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo, Victoria 3550