AUSTRALIA, is an island continent located southeast of Asia. It constitutes a self-governing member of the British Commonwealth and extends about 4,000 km from east to west and about 3,700 km from north to south, covering an area of 7,682,300 sq.km. This makes Australia the smallest continent and the largest island in the world but the sixth largest country. Australia is the most sparsely populated of the inhabited continents. Its total population of 20 million corresponds to an overall density of 3 persons per sq.km. The capital of Australia is Canberra, and the largest city is Sydney; both are located in the east. Australia is made up of six states - New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia - and two territories - the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The first inhabitants of Australia were the Aboriginal people, who migrated to the continent some 50-60,000 years ago. The continent remained unknown to most of the outside world until the 17th century. The first permanent European settlement was established in 1788 at Port Jackson (Sydney), as a British penal colony. Australia developed as a group of British colonies during the 19th century, and in 1901 the colonies federated to form a unified independent nation. The climate of Australia varies greatly from region to region, with a tropical climate in the north, an arid or semiarid climate in much of the interior, and a temperate climate in the south. Seasonal variations are small. The temperate regions of southern Australia have four seasons, with cool winters and warm summers. SYDNEY was the first permanent European settlement in Australia and today the country’s largest metropolitan area, with about 4½ million residents. It is the capital of New South Wales, Australia’s most populous and economically important state. The city is a dynamic cultural center with a diversified economy focused on service industries, tourism, manufacturing, and international commerce. Its port is one of the leading centers of intercontinental trade in the Asia-Pacific region.

The tournament will be played in Sydney Showground Members Pavillion, one of the facilities provided in the Sydney Olympic Park. The Sydney Showground offers ample space for play and all tournament operations. The Olympic Park is situated some 15km west of Sydney, and it is easily accessible from the city centre by express train (25 min journey). Participants will be lodged in the Ibis Hotel, a 3-star hotel situated just 100 meters from the playing venue. Special rates have been negotiated for the championship, amounting to A$108.50 (Australian dollars) per person per night in a double room, A$158.50 in a single room and A$94.50 pp in a 3-bedded room. These rates include full-board, with all meals served in the hotel (except 5 lunches to be provided elsewhere). For NBO officials, accompanying guests and other people looking for better accommodation, the only alternative within the Olympic Park is the 4-star Novotel Hotel which is adjacent to Ibis Hotel. Special championship full-board accommodation rates at the Novotel have been negotiated at A$138.75 per person per night in a double room and A$227 in a single room. The organizers will provide free transportation from Sydney airport to the above hotels and vice versa upon arrival and departure to all teams/delegations who provide adequate details of their travel arrangements in advance. Further information on accommodation and reservations will be provided directly by the organizers. • Organizers local site: http://www.abf.com.au/youth/events/wjc/index.htm • Accommodation form: http://www.abf.com.au/youth/events/wjc/formparticipants.htm