With one year to go to the Australian Masters Games, one of Australia’s largest multi-sport festivals today unveiled its look, tagline and the first of a number of event ambassadors before South Australia’s sports and business community.
Olympic cycling gold medallist Brett Aitken, dual Olympic volleyballer representative Louise Bawden, Adelaide 36’s NBL champion Brett Maher and New York Yankees major league baseballer and Adelaide Bite general manager Pat Kelly committed to join the army of weekend warriors who will be participate in the 15th edition of the event next October.
Maher said the Australian Masters Games is much more than about competitive sport.
“The event tagline pretty much sums it ups,” Maher said. “For the times of your life” is a good description, as it’s much more than just a sporting event for the 30-plus age group. It’s the social aspect, the comradery and the fun, in fact for most, winning and losing isn’t even a factor. It’s about just enjoying sport,” Maher said.
Brett Aitken is used to reaching high speeds around the velodrome. He will once again have the need for speed, but this time it will be behind the wheel as gets set to try his hand at Karting at the Australian Masters Games.
"It's got the best of everything - a bit of adrenalin, fast speed, and taking corners..."Aitken enthused.
Louise Bawden is currently preparing for the Rio 2016 Olympics. She has found the motivation to train for her third Olympic campaign from her experiences with sport, but is likely to try something different next October.
“I get continual motivation from my wonderful experiences in sport,” Bawden said.
"But I would love to wake up one day and be Maria Sharapova," she continued when contemplating her sport of choice for the 15th Australian Masters Games.
The 2015 Australian Masters Games is expected to attract 10,000 participants across over 60 sports and in addition to the event ambassadors the Adelaide Convention Centre was confirmed as the Games social hub and host for the opening and closing ceremonies.
Organising committee advisory board chair Chris Dittmar said it was important to assemble representatives of all the sports to celebrate the one year to go milestone.
“This time next year the Games will be underway and Adelaide will be awash with Masters Games participants,” Dittmar said.
“To confirm the Adelaide Convention Centre as the Games Village and social hub is an important step and we are excited to launch our Games poster, which sporting organisations around Australia will now use to help encourage their members and participants to come to Adelaide next year.”
“The beauty of the Games is that almost anyone can have a go and participants in 2015 will have the choice of around 60 sports – from archery to weightlifting and almost everything in between.”
“In 2015 we are looking to add some new sports, including roller derby, figure skating and precision parachuting. And the only qualification criteria is that participants must meet the minimum age requirement, which in most sports is 30 years of age,” Dittmar added.
“Some participants will be targeting fast times, and medals, but for the vast majority it is about keeping fit and active, and enjoying a sport they love. I’ll be one of those – the older we get, the better we get,” Dittmer said.
The eight day festival that will inject millions of dollars into the local economy and it’s expected that participants will come from all states and territories of Australia, with the previous edition in Geelong, Victoria also attracting entrants from 14 countries.
Minister for Tourism, Recreation and Sport Leon Bingil said Adelaide was the perfect location for the Games.
“10,000 participants across eight days will provide a significant boost for our tourism industry. We are looking forward to welcoming the Games participants to South Australia, for many of them a return visit,” enthused Minister Bingil.
“Adelaide’s sporting facilities are set for action, but importantly, our many restaurants, cafés and wineries will also be ready for them and their families and friends from around Australia and the world,” Minister Bingil said.
Entries for the 15th Australian Masters Games in Adelaide will open in early 2015, however interested participants can join the Masters Games family by signing up at www.AustralianMastersGames.com to receive Games updates and early bird entry details.
The Australian Masters Games is proudly sponsored by the South Australian Tourism Commission through Events South Australia.
When: Saturday 3 October- Saturday 10 October, 2015
Where: Adelaide, South Australia
Who: Over 10,000 people from across Australia and overseas. The event is open to anyone who meets the age requirements of their sport of choice. It does not impose qualifying standards and welcomes participants from all over the world. The only criteria to compete in the Australian Masters Games is you must meet the minimum age criteria which in most sports is 30 years.
What: A week-long festival of sport and festivities. Australia’s largest regular multisport Games will feature over 60 sports, ranging from athletics to basketball to cue sports to weightlifting. Visit www.AustralianMastersGames.com for the target draft list of sports.
Click here to watch a promotional clip on the Games.
Entertainment: As well as an extensive sporting schedule, the Australian Masters Games will also comprise a variety of social events throughout the week, including an Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony, providing a festival atmosphere for both competitors and visitors to Adelaide.