Transport - Opening Ceremony

Date:	Sunday 30 November
Time:	10.00 am – 12.00 noon
Venue:	Canberra Stadium

The 2008 PSG will officially begin with a spectacular opening ceremony at the 25,000 all seat Canberra Stadium in AIS Precinct.  This promises to be a colourful event showcasing the singing, dancing and musical talents of ACT school students in a 2 hour extravaganza.

Start Time:	10.00 am (Gates open at 8.00 am)
Duration:	2 hours (competition and training will begin at 2.00 pm after this event)

Spectators will witness 2 hours of entertainment including the traditional march onto the arena and this will set the scene for the Games, highlighting links of friendship among all the competing states, territories and countries.

Arrival

Official PSG accommodation venues and Murrays Coaches, Buses & Limousines

• Participants and team management will be transported by bus from accommodation venues to Eastern Car Park at Canberra Stadium under the direction of their Team Liaison Officer (TLO).
• Teams are expected to arrive at Canberra Stadium by no later than 9.00 am.

Other accommodation All teams and parents/guardians with participants staying in alternative accommodation venues should be aware they need to make their own travel arrangements to Canberra Stadium. It is the responsibility of teams and parents/guardians to ensure team members arrive at Canberra Stadium by no later than 9:00am.

Public Transport and ACTION Buses

ACTION Route Bus Service 980 will operate between City Interchange and Belconnen Interchange and Canberra Stadium every 60 minutes.  Check the website www.action.act.gov.au for details regarding services and timetables.

 

Any competitor, team official or volunteer carrying and displaying PSG accreditation will be entitled to free transport for the duration of the Games.

 

Athletes with a disability

• Specialised transport will be made available for athletes with a disability upon request.
• Team Managers should advise PSG Management prior to the Games if transport is required to the Opening Ceremony via email at info@pacificschoolgames.edu.au.
• Athletes with a disability will be able to assemble on the Eastern Concourse at the Southern End prior to the march on and rejoin their team when they move down the ramp to the arena.  They will return to the Eastern Concourse after the march off.

Arrival procedures and assembly of athletes and officials

• On arrival, all athletes and team officials will move into designated seating areas in the Gregan Larkham Stand and Eastern Inner Bowl under the direction of event officials prior to the commencement of the ceremony.  Not all seating is under cover so it is recommended teams wear appropriate caps/hats.
• Access points to Gregan Larkham Stand and Eastern Inner Bowl and team seating areas will be clearly defined by signage under the direction of Event Officials.
• Once all teams have arrived they will receive instructions on protocols for the ceremony from their TLO’s.
• Prior to the march on, teams in Gregan Larkham Stand will be required to assemble behind the stand in alphabetical order (except for Victoria, 1st ) and teams in Eastern Inner Bowl will be required to assemble on the Eastern Concourse in alphabetical order (except ACT, last) as quickly as possible with the flag bearer and team captains at the front.
• Team management needs to ensure teams line up 6 abreast and hold position and formation until they have arrived at designated team areas on the arena.
• Event Officials will be in attendance to provide assistance.

Storage of personal belongings/bags

• Teams will be required to leave all belongings/bags under their seats in designated team areas for the duration of the ceremony.
• Security/event officials will maintain surveillance of baggage during the march on until such time as teams have returned to their seats after the march off.

Entering and departing the arena

• Event Officials will direct teams onto the arena who will march in front of the Mal Meninga Stand to their positions in preparation for formalities.
• Teams will depart the arena in the same order as they entered.  That is 1st team on; 1st team off and move back to designated seating areas.

Exiting Canberra Stadium

• After the ceremony, teams moving to AIS venues (Swimming, Track & Field and Basketball) will exit Canberra Stadium via the Western gates (behind the Mal Meninga Stand) before proceeding to competition/training in the afternoon program.   
• Teams travelling to Canberra Olympic Pool, National Hockey Centre and Belconnen Basketball Stadium will exit via the Eastern gates to waiting buses for transport to competition venues in the afternoon program.