ORGANISERS of the Victorian Teachers Games have deemed the event an overwhelming success.
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More than 2000 teachers travelled to Bendigo for the annual games - which spanned four days - bringing life and fun to the city.
They stayed in local hotels, ate at local cafes and hotels and used local facilities, with the event estimated to have injected $2.5 million into the city's economy.
School Sports Victoria senior project officer Mike Grant said the entire program had run smoothly.
"We are ecstatic with how it has gone. The feedback we have had has been superb. The Facebook page has been wonderful with comments and photos - we are really pleased," he said.
"The city of Bendigo has been outstanding. The clubs, associations, nothing has been too difficult."
Mr Grant said the games provided teachers with a chance to relax and have fun.
"The teachers have just come off 10 weeks of third term, they are looking for a chance to unwind, there is no doubt how big the social side of it is," he said.
The games finished with a closing ceremony on Thursday, where a team of teachers from Vermont Primary School were presented with the Minister's Cup by Children and Early Childhood Development minister Wendy Lovell.
"I think it's fantastic that teachers are giving up their own personal time to take part," Ms Lovell said.
"Sport is what holds a lot of faculties together.
"There is always a really heavy focus on sporting activity in the community from a faculty and that's what holds them together."
Vermont Primary School teacher and games participant Brierly Parker said the school had been attending the games for five years.
"We are here to have fun," she said.
"We get excited each year to find out where the games are being held."
City of Greater Bendigo executive manager of tourism Kathryn Mackenzie said the community had thrived on the chance to host the games.
"We love our city and we love having visitors to our city," she said.
"Greater Bendigo is a destination that is important for sports. Nearly everyone in our city plays a sport and we are proud of the facilities we have to offer.
"We believe that we work very hard to offer our visitors a great combination of sporting facilities."
Mr Grant said a location for next year's games was yet to be announced but generally the event was held in the same city for two years.
To read the Bendigo Advertiser's coverage of the games, visit www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au