Active, athletic adults are ready to kick off the
17th Australian Masters Games in Adelaide
Adelaide is set to come alive when over 7,600 inspiring weekend warriors hit the sports fields for the 17th Australian Masters Games, kicking off on Saturday 5 October.
Running until Saturday 12 October, the Australian Masters Games aims to promote the benefits of long-term health and wellbeing by providing a platform through which adults aged 30 years and over can compete and socialise over an eight-day festival of sport.
Participants will make their way to the city of churches from every state and territory in Australia, as well as from 23 different countries around the world to compete in over 45 sports across 70 of Adelaide’s finest sports venues.
One of the many athletes taking part this week is Adelaide local Henry Young, who just recently celebrated his 96th birthday. Young is no a stranger to the Games, the tennis player competed four years ago when the Games were last held in Adelaide.
“I find it quite astonishing myself that I am still playing tennis, but I love it. That’s why I do it” Young said.
“I think I am getting better and I’ll know by the end of the Games whether that’s true or not.
Joining Young is co-host of Seven Network’s Sunrise, Port Adelaide chairman and avid sports fan David Koch. Kochie, as he’s affectionately known, is competing in the indoor rowing competition taking place on Tuesday 8 October at the Adelaide Convention Centre – right in the middle of all the action at the Games Village.
“I am most looking forward to the camaraderie of a bunch of people doing something they love,” Kochie said.
The Games are just as much about the party and enjoying the week away with mates as it is about the sports. Featuring a great entertainment program and plenty of activities in and around Adelaide, participants are set for an incredible event experience – starting with the Opening Ceremony at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Saturday 5 October, which will showcase the much-loved athlete’s march.
“We can’t wait to get these Games going. The atmosphere around Adelaide and especially the sports venues and the Convention Centre has been electric,” Games General Manager Gary O’Donnell said.
“We’ve had a record number of entries in a number of sports, which is just fabulous. This week is set to be one that participants and locals won’t forget.”
Leading the way in entries is Dragon Boat, which has over 950 competitors set to hit Scullers Reserve in West Lakes, followed closely by Softball and Basketball.
“The Australian Masters Games is the longest running masters games in Australia and the athletes that take part are truly inspiring. A lot of them have taken up sport later in life and are thriving in their older years,” Confederation of Australian Sport chief executive and president Rob Bradley said.
“When we first staged the Games in 1987 we didn’t know if it would take off, but it has and we are proud to still be going over 30 years later and especially glad to be back in Adelaide, which do a wonderful job of hosting.”
This is the seventh time Adelaide has hosted the Australian Masters Games with the last time being in 2015, which injected $12 million into the local economy.
The Australian Masters Games is proudly sponsored by the South Australian Tourism Commission through Events South Australia.
17th Australian Masters Game snapshot:
| When: | Saturday, 5 October – Saturday, 12 October 2019 |
| Where: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Who: | Approximately 7,600 participants from across Australia and overseas. The event does not impose any qualifying standards and is open to anyone who meets the age requirements of their sport of choice, which in most sports is 30 years.
Participants from the following countries have entered to date: |
| What: | A week-long festival of sport and festivities. Australia’s premier regular multisport Games will feature 50 plus sports, ranging from lawn bowls to dragon boat to softball and tennis. |
| Entertainment: | As well as an extensive sporting schedule, the Australian Masters Games will also comprise social events, including an Opening and Closing Ceremony headlined by Adelaide cover band Blackjack and tribute act Celebrating the Music of Billy Joel with Anthony Mararespectively, and a mid-week party featuring Immaculate Madonna, and an Elvis Tribute on Friday night. |
The 17th Australian Masters Games is managed by UniSport Australia Limited under the direction of the Confederation of Australian Sport.
-ENDS-
For media enquiries please contact:
Christy LaPlante
Games Media and Communications
T: 0439 246 489
E: christy@jumpmedia.com.au