New Zealand Masters Games - much more than sport
Every two years when Dunedin hosts the Southern Trust New Zealand Masters Games it draws around 6000 competitors, more than half are from out of town. Why do they come? What’s the appeal? There is no one answer because the NZ Masters Games appeals to peop
Aucklander Janine Tulloch (47) will head to Dunedin in 2016 for her third NZ Masters Games in the city. She and husband Neil (62), will be competing in Squash and Twilight 400. They love the entire experience.
“I really enjoy the idea, that although you may have past your prime in your sport you can still keep going in it and with others who feel the same way. You can still be competitive or simply enjoy getting in there with whatever you are able to give it, that being there and doing it are more important than being the best of the best.
“Being active has become more important over the years than I had thought it would be as a younger person. I really do believe you need to ‘use it or lose it’ but having said that it doesn’t mean I am good at keeping active – being a lounge slug comes easier to me.”
Chris and Carolyn Baker, both 67, will travel from Riverton to take part in golf, sports accuracy and social petanque and bowls. In the past Chris has taken part in athletics and indoor rowing and both have done Twilight 400.
Chris Baker says, “We find the games is a good motivator for us to set targets and to try to achieve them, it gives us a chance to play on courses we wouldn’t usually get to play on and do activities like curling and indoor shooting that we wouldn’t be able to do.”
Trying new sports captures the imagination of many people and Twilight 400 with four sports over two days is one of the most popular social events. The Tullochs were introduced to it at the NZ Masters Games in Whanganui and are looking forward to taking part in it in Dunedin next year.
Janine says, “In Whanganui - everyone arrived with loads of anticipation and a high sense of fun and excitement. You could really tell the difference between the first-timers and the been-there-and-done
that before folk! The costumes were inventive and loads of fun, if you enter Twilight 400 you definitely need to be prepared for the heaps of revelry.
In Dunedin the event will include curling on ice and small-bore rifle shooting on the first night then darts and 10-Pin bowling on the second night.”
Netball is another popular sport at the games. Rose O’Brien-Gardner (50) from Rotorua, will be heading to Dunedin with her netball team, ‘Rotovegas’ for their sixth time to play at the Masters Games.
“We are always keen to keep active and stay active. We like playing indoors because our knees aren’t able to handle concrete courts over three days anymore. For us it is a great time to catch up with each other. The netball is great so is the accommodation and the entertainment every night. Dunedin gets nine out of ten for being great hosts.”
Dunedin also gets the thumbs up from Janine Tulloch.
“In 2014 we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Dunedin; we did a few sight-seeing things such as visiting Larnach Castle, kayaking out to the sea colony, touring the Speights Brewery and Cadbury’s Chocolate factory. We rate Dunedin’s accommodation very highly and its people as really welcoming, friendly and helpful.
“We enjoyed our NZ Masters Games event so much in 2014 that we pre-booked our accommodation for 2016, before leaving! This time we plan to use Dunedin as a base to do further travelling in the lower South Island.”
The 2016 New Zealand Masters Games in Dunedin from 30 January 2016 to 7 February 2016.
It’s sport. It’s social. It’s rewarding!