The Hamilton table tennis export is returning to her home town to speak at the opening ceremony, at Hamilton Showgrounds on Friday, October 31.

The 31st games, the region’s premier multi-sport festival, are centred on the Southern Grampians Shire and officially run from November 1 to 9.

Hamilton archery stalwart Geoff Mibus is the South West Games patron and will also speak at the opening.

South West Sport club development officer Mark Taylor encouraged south-west residents to get behind the games

“There will be a number of sports (at the opening ceremony) with demonstrations and displays,” Taylor said.

“We’ll have the traditional opening ceremony and we’ve got Chinese lion dancers coming down from Bendigo.”

Taylor said the 2014 games would feature about 60 events and involve about  6000 participants.

The sports cover everything from running and cycling to bridge and line dancing.

“We’re very happy with the response. The people in Hamilton have been coming along to the meetings every month, which has been terrific,” Taylor said.

“We’ve got our final meeting tomorrow night (on Wednesday).”

Taylor said a handful of games events would go ahead in coming days, despite being outside the official dates.

For the full list of events, visit www.southwestsport.com.au/programs/south-west-games/

n Melissa Tapper will represent Australia at the 2015 World Team Cup, national officials announced yesterday.

Tapper is one of six players selected in the squad for the international tournament in Dubai, from January 8 to 11.

She joins Miao Miao and Michelle Beaumont as the three women.