The launch of the 2011 World Sports Expo took place at newly named Patersons Stadium today with representatives from different elite sporting codes coming together to promote the message of living a healthy and active lifestyle.

The expo, which will take place from 21-23 January next year, will have the key priority of reducing childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes by encouraging young people as well as adults to give a range of different sports a try and show them how to have fun with fitness.

Childhood obesity is a major concern in Australia today with predictions that by 2020, 65% of children in Australia will be overweight or obese.

As well as West Coast captain Darren Glass, a host of high profile athletes from different elite Perth sporting clubs were in attendance at the launch to show their support for the initiative. Players from the Western Force, West Coast Fever, the Warriors and the Perth Wheelcats joined Glass and encouraged people to get involved in the expo and find a sport they love.

"I grew up in the country so I had a go at everything. I played basketball and did little athletics but footy was my true passion," said Glass.

Peter Aleksander, director of event management company Yellow Empire, said he was excited about the opportunities the World Sports Expo would give to those who attended.

"We’ve got such a great community that engages in sport regularly and enjoys sport. Our opportunity with the World Sports Expo is to showcase 60 different sports as well as 60 different sporting related retailers and health professionals and  to put down a challenge to the people of Perth to find their next sport or recreational passion."

For further information about the 2011 World Sports Expo click here.