The First New Zealand Records Have Been Set

The First New Zealand Records Have Been Set

It was a big day at the Southern Trust New Zealand Masters Games yesterday when four competitors all set New Zealand Records for Indoor Rowing.

91 year old Cliff Taylor of Pukekohe put on a phenomenal display at the Indoor Rowing Arena yesterday, which saw him proudly receive a Gold medal for his accomplishments. Cliff was competing in the 90+ age group in the Heavyweight division and set the New Zealand record for 100metres with a time of 24.4 seconds.

Gordon Fletcher of Auckland walked away with Silver in the 75+ age group in the Heavyweight division, for his 100 metre sprint and 16.8 second New Zealand record, while Philip Price from Torquay, Australia smashed the record for the 300 metre distance in the 80+ age group of the lightweight division, recording a time of 01:01:4 seconds and walked away with a Bronze medal. Philip also received the Richard Safey Memorial Trophy for achieving the highest percentage to his respective world record time.

The final New Zealand record breaker at yesterdays Indoor Rowing competition was Tania Hodges from Hamilton. Tania competed in the 50+ Age Group of the Heavyweight division and not only did she walk away with a Bronze Medal but she also set the record for her 100 metre dash, recording a time of 18.8 seconds and therefore knocking the previous New Zealand Record holder off their perch.

With just four days of competition left, there’s bound to be more Records set and Personal Bests smashed. Make sure you catch all the action.

Remember for all enquiries concerning registration, results, sports and merchandise, the NZCT Games Village will be open every day from 8am to 6pm. Visit the website nzmg.com or download the phone app for NZMG to stay up to date.

Background Information on New Zealand Masters Games:

Since its inception in 1989, the NZ Masters Games has grown from humble beginnings of 1500 entrants competing across 29 sports to the heady heights of over 8,000 entrants and 67 sports, making it the biggest Masters Games event in New Zealand by far.

The 2015 New Zealand Masters Games is the 26th Games held in conjunction with our partners in Dunedin. The Games is a 10 day event comprising 55+ different sports and over 2,400 individual events. Minimum qualifying age starts from 20 years of age. Located conveniently close to the sport venues and commercial heart of the city, the NZCT Games Village provides a unique and unforgettable focal point to the Southern Trust New Zealand Masters Games.

The philosophy of the Games is inclusive, focusing on participation and achievement where competition is important but not all important and where there is literally no minimum requirement for skill or experience. People return year after year to re-kindle friendships and re-unite as team-mates in a place that celebrates fair competition and spirit. Competitors recapture the thrill and emotion of their youth through participation and achievement over the
huge range of sports on offer. Some accomplish more as a ‘Master’ than ever before in their lifetime. The energy and atmosphere of “the Games” is infectious amongst the young at heart – it’s about “letting your hair down for a while” and enjoying sporting success, whether you’re thirty-five or seventy-five.

“There are very few sporting events which offer people of all ages, shapes, sizes, abilities and levels of experience an opportunity to participate, achieve and have a truly memorable time doing it!” says Games Manager Judy Doyle

NZMG attracts five to six thousand participants, plus their supporters, to each event. For many of the competitors, the event is a highlight on their sporting calendar. A whopping 85% have indicated an intention to return to the next event, and every year new converts are welcomed to the “Masters” culture. Many visitors are from overseas representing over 22 countries to date including Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Canada, Turkey, Sri Lanka, France, Denmark, Italy, Brazil, India, Hong Kong and the Pacific Nations.

Former sporting greats such as Sir Brian Lochore, Andy Haden, Peter Snell, Dick Tayler, Yvette Corlette (Williams), Aaron Slight, Peter Bellis, Gary Anderson,
Frank van Hattum and Simon Owen (to name only a few) have competed alongside our
other competitors in the spirit of the masters movement. Apart from the minimum age designated by each sport, there is virtually no other criteria for entry. Most sports start at 35 years of age, with some (such as swimming) offering a minimum age of 20. By far, the largest segment of competitors (in fact, almost 57% of our competitors) are the “baby boomers” - the generation of “ageing hipsters” born between 1946 and 1964. Following close behind (at just over 16% of competitors) is “generation x”, young and vibrant at around 20 to 40 years of age, and now proudly qualifying to compete as a ‘Master’.

Our veteran competitors, at “60 years young” or more, make up a healthy 25% of our competitors.

Overall, participants are fairly evenly split between male and female.

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