Age No Barrier At Nz’s Largest Sporting Event

New Zealand’s largest sporting event, the ACC New Zealand Masters Games will begin tomorrow in Dunedin, marking the 21st anniversary of the Games and with more than 6000 competitors registered, age it seems is no barrier to being active. While the majority of competitors are aged between 40- 60 yrs, there are more than 350 competitors over the age of 70.

At these Games the older you are, the greater the acclaim. Veteran Games competitor from Hamilton, Rose Jacobs is again the oldest competitor at the Games. Rose (95yr) will be taking part in the 100m Sprint, the 5km Walk and will get to sit down at the Indoor Rowing when she competes in the 300m, 500m 1000m and 2000m events. Kath Johnstone (92yr) from Auckland will be donning her swimming cossie again fresh from her haul of gold medals at the World Masters Games in Sydney last year.

There are more than 250 international competitors with the majority of those from Australia but other countries represented include Bulgaria, Denmark, England, Germany, Hungary, India, Japan, Pakistan, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom and USA.

Team sports have never been more popular with a record number of teams for Netball (92), Soccer (58), Curling (30) and Cricket (18).

A war on ice is being predicted at the Dunedin Ice Stadium as 4 Australian Ice Hockey Teams cross the Tasman to do battle with 4 kiwi teams.

There are 71 sports and activities scheduled including more sedentary options such as poker, euchre and scrabble.

This year’s Games ambassadors, New Zealand sporting legends, Sir Colin Meads and Dick Tayler, will officiate at the Games medal presentations.

Aaron Joy, Games Manager, says the Masters Games injects upwards of 5 million dollars into the local economy. He says, “ This is Dunedin’s biggest event. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the city’s attractions and facilities. “

The official Opening Ceremony is on Saturday night at the Games Village on the University of Otago campus. A feature of the Opening will be the announcement of four ACC Life Award recipients. The Awards recognise individuals who have shone during Games gone by, and who continue to inspire.

ENDS

© Scoop Media