Twenty-nine councils from all around New Zealand will descend on Thames for the 2016 Inter-Council Sports Tournament next month.

Thames-Coromandel deputy mayor Peter French says this will be the second time the district council has played host to the annual tournament which is taking place on Saturday, March 12.

'The tournament has been running nationally for over 20 years and we have teams from councils around the country coming to compete.” he says.

Approximately 450 people be competing in the tournament and the town is already seeing the benefits, with many accommodation providers full for the weekend.

Peter says the tournament is a great opportunity to not only show off the Coromandel to other councils but promote local businesses too.

'Many of the players are staying around on the Sunday to explore the district; those that don't stay on will certainly get a taste and want to come back.”

This year Thames-Coromandel will enter two teams made up of council staff and their immediate families.

These teams will compete in touch rugby and soccer, plus a novelty event which remains secret until the day.

Competitors will register at the Brew on Friday night and will receive a registration pack of Coromandel-esque goodies covered by their registration fee.

The tournament will kick off at Rhodes Park on March 12 at 8am and will be followed with a prize-giving dinner on the Saturday night.

The last Inter-Council Sport Tournament to take place on the peninsula was held in Whangamata back in 2007.

Businesses wanting to provide discounts or vouchers are being asked to contact communications and marketing officer Rebekah Duffin on 07-868-0200 or email: [email protected]

For more information about the annual Inter-Council Sports Tournament email: [email protected]