Christchurch on track to host memorable South Island Masters
A 20 percent jump in registration six weeks from the start of the South Island Masters Games in Christchurch is making organisers happy.
Games Manager, Chris Thomas, of Special Events Aoraki Ltd, believes the turn out for the Christchurch games will see excellent numbers as Kiwis look locally for entertainment during these hard times. Entry registrations are nearing 1000, well up on the 750 at the same timeframe when the Games were last held in Christchurch in 2007. Registration numbers also show that 33 percent of those registered being first time participants.
“While people are being careful with their money, we think they are looking locally for good value things to do and we at the SIMG aim to provide all the benefits of a local event with international style services,” says Mr Thomas.
The Games Manager says Christchurch is on track to host a memorable Masters with 29 events at both competitive and social levels, spread over five days from 30 September to 4 October. “We are getting some great diversity and the national interest is high also, so we can look forward with confidence to Christchurch hosting what will truly be a memorable event,” he says.
New entrants include the Games youngest ever competitor, 20 year old Emma Marriot, a former national gymnastics representative, and former Kiwis Rugby League captain Tony Coll, who will be competing in the cycling road race and in mountain biking.
The South Island Masters Games, which alternate between Christchurch and Timaru, has an open entry system for mature athletes. There are no qualification criteria - athletes don’t need to be nominated or to represent a club to take part.
The Games regularly attract national and international athletes competing to achieve personal bests and to break New Zealand and World records, “but there is a larger element of counting the friends and not just the medals.”
“The socialising element is built into the Games and serious competition and serious socialising go hand in hand, spilling into some great times in the get-togethers at nights,” says Mr Thomas. The Games are offering three themed nights for participants this year: a M.A.S.H. night, a Monte Carlo casino night and a Bollywood night.
The Bollywood night on Saturday 3 October will also masquerade as the Games’ ‘Oscar night’, themed with over-the-top glitz. Revellers can come dressed as an Indian cricketer or a Bollywood film star. The Games Village marquee will be turned into the 4077th Mess tent for M.A.S.H. night on Friday. Entry is free to all registered participants. The Official Opening Ceremony and Cocktail Party is already sold-out.
The Christchurch City Council is a supporter of sporting events that benefit all ages. It funds numerous community-based events targeted at older people.
www.simasters.co.nz.
Day-time activities include:
Badminton
Canoeing
Cricket - 8-A-Side
Cycling
Football
Gym Sports
Golf
Indoor Bowls
Indoor Netball
Indoor Triathlon
Lawn Bowls
Mountain biking
Netball
Petanque
Petanque Social
Power lifting
Road Relay 3x7km Run-Walk
Road Run 10km
Road Run-Walk Half Marathon
Shooting - Clay Target
Squash
Swimming
Table Tennis
Tennis
Touch
Triathlon 30 Minute Indoor
Walk - Push Play