The strongest confirmation yet that we will have A league soccer games played here, courtesy of Western United, was followed by news top flight NBL basketball teams will grace the new Wendouree stadium. The later even comes with added bonus of up-and-coming US superstar LaMelo Ball.

Finally in another sporting code, prize for the Ballarat Cup and its minor races almost doubled this week. This may may be part of the interstate one-upmanship between racing organisations but anything that raises the profile of Ballarat's biggest day of racing can't be a bad thing.

None of these sports may interest you but they have a certain reputational power in showing, particular to outsiders and funding influencers, just what Ballarat is capable of putting on.

In the wake of some declining tourist numbers, the nasty rancour of the split between council and Visit Ballarat, and the unfortunate overreach of BOAA which has left a perhaps even more corrosive legacy; ^{these succeses are even more vital to fulfill} potential . The lessons from failure can also serve in cementing future success.

And inversely, success, with astute analysis and leaderhsip, can be replicated. The steady success of Armstrong Street not only as an 'eat street' but as a CBD magnet to people might pose bigger opportunities for other challenged streets.

These are are all issues and future challenges for the future of our city that are worth discussing and we will do our best to keep you informed

And wile we are on the subject of successes, this week for subscribers we have four double matinee passes to one of the most successful of all children's books, the stage adaption of Roald Dahls Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, playing at her Majesty's in Melbourne on August 11.

Enter for your chance to win here.

Enjoy