Competition builds up for this months Masters Games

Registrations for this month’s South Island Masters Games have been extended to Monday (7 September).

More than 1300 participants have already registered for the week-long festival of sport for the over 30s, from 30 September to 4 October.

Former Rugby League Captain Tony Coll, who played 30 tests for the Kiwis in the early 1970s, will be tackling the mountain biking course and the cycle road race. Coll, who took up biking seven years ago, sees his first South Island Masters Games as an opportunity that puts less stress on his body while giving him the full joy of competing.

“I love the sport (mountain biking) and have ventured into road biking for the past three years. I know these types of events are really competitive, which suits me fine," says Coll. He has no set goals but is looking forward to competing in a friendly environment.

Also in a first for the SIMG will be the entry of its youngest participant, 20-year-old Emma Marriott who will be competing in the 20-30 age group in gymnastics. Emma retired from rhythmic gymnastics about four years ago due to a hamstring injury after representing New Zealand a few times in Australia, America, Canada and Hawaii. She was the NZ Senior International Champion in 2003-2004.

“I can’t wait to perform at the Masters. It will be good to get back out there even if for just one time. I am doing it purely for fun and, hopefully, maybe get fitter at the same time,” says Emma (pictured below).
“This is rare in Masters Games. Our youngest entrant has had a highly successful career in the sport, representing New Zealand at a range of international competitions. The athletes in this sport have a shelf life of six years and start very young,” says Ken Dunning, Communications Manager for Special Events Aoraki Ltd which is organising the SIMG. It was one of the reasons to accept Emma as a Master despite her age, says Dunning.

Dunning has also pointed out that the organisers were keen to book in more teams in the indoor events, mainly indoor cricket, table tennis, indoor netball and indoor football. A featuring highlight of the indoor events will be the indoor triathlon where participants will use facilities at Jellie Park to run on a treadmill, ride a stationery bike and work a rowing machine to compete. The popular events have attracted good numbers with netball having a record field of 52 teams, says Dunning.

www.simasters.co.nz.