Masters of their domain

Peter Jones

The South Island Masters Games are all about having fun - pictured are netball players from 2023's event, The Sharons and Kath and Kim. Photo: Supplied.

They’re back. The South Island Masters Games will be staged in and around Marlborough from October 17-27.

Peter Jones

The ever-popular event, which comes to this region every two years and shares hosting rights with Timaru, is an ever-popular mix of competitiveness, companionship and camaraderie which is expected to attract nearly 2000 participants, officials and supporters to town.

Pavel Merta playing pickleball at 2023's South Island Masters Games. Photo: Supplied.

The masters will spread their skills across 25 different sports at different venues. Minimum ages range from 20 at swimming to 50 on the croquet greens.

The onus is on having fun, with competitive grades thrown in for good measure in several sports.

Greg Marfell of The Lazy Boys. Photo: Supplied.

Some new sports have been introduced, including the increasingly-popular pursuit of disc golf, plus tenpin bowling and water polo and the intriguing sport of jigsaw racing.

Social activities are also high on agenda. From welcoming drinks on the opening Friday, to two fancy dress-themed Party Nights and a couple of Sunday Sessions, all at different local venues, participants will have plenty of opportunities to mix and mingle. The Saturday night events will be held at the Yard Bar.

Event director Simon Carter is expecting 1600-1700 participants this year, suggesting numbers were slightly down on the last Games in Blenheim. “It has been a little bit softer in terms of people wanting to commit to things, just given the economic environment and things like that. But it is going to be a helluva two weeks up there, that’s for sure.”

Simon said registration for the football and netball events had risen this year.

The Masters Games kick off with football from Friday, October 17.

The Games’ chief sponsor this year is Marlborough Lines, who are also on board for the 2027 and 2029 Games, events that have now been locked in.

Check out the action

Sports, dates, venues, minimum ages:
Athletics - Oct 18 – Athletic Park (minimum age 30)
Croquet – Oct 23-24 – Blenheim and Brooklyn clubs – (50)
Croquet golf – Oct 20-22 – Blenheim and Brooklyn clubs (50)
Cycling (road) – Oct 19 – Fairhall region (35)
Cycling (track) – Oct 18 – Athletic Park (35)
Disc golf – Oct 25-26 - Taylor River Reserve (30)
Football – Oct 17-19 – A&P Park (M35, W25)
Golf – Oct 20-22 and Oct 24 –Marlborough Golf Club (30)
Hockey – Oct 22-26 – Puna Wai Stadium and College Park (30)
Jigsaw Puzzle Racing – Oct 22-23 – TBA (30)
Netball – Oct 18-19 – Lansdowne Park (30)
Pickleball – Oct 18-19 – Simcox Stadium (30)
Run/walk (5km) – Oct 20 – Taylor River Reserve (30)
Run (10km) - Oct 20 – Taylor River Reserve (30)
Softball – Oct 25-26 – Lansdowne Park (W30, M35)
Swimming – Oct 26 – Marlborough Lines Stadium (20)
Tennis – Oct 25-26 – Marlborough Tennis Centre (30)
Tenpin Bowling – Oct 19 – Simcox Stadium (30)
Touch – Oct 18-19 – Lansdowne Park (27)
Volleyball – Oct 18-19 – Marlborough Lines Stadium (M30, W25)
Water Polo – Oct 18-19 – Marlborough Lines Stadium (35)

Masters Games 2023, croquet golf players Rowena Booker, Gisela Hartwig, Megan Leslie, Roy Lilley. Photo: Supplied. 

Social activities

It’s not just about what happens on the field, the social events are a highlight, giving everyone a chance to celebrate, have a yarn, and make some lasting memories.

Friday Oct 17
Welcome drinks
Speights Ale House
6.30pm | Free entry

Saturday Oct 18
PARTY NIGHT
Theme: Saints & Sinners
Framingham Winery
7pm-11.30pm | $10

Sunday Oct 19
The Sunday Session
Moa Brew Garden
4.30pm-6pm Free entry

Natalie Sherman, waterpolo at 2023's event. Photo: Supplied.

Friday Oct 24
SIMG ‘After Work’ Drinks
The Good Home Marlborough
6pm | Free entry

Saturday Oct 25
Party the Night Away!
Theme: Dynamic Duos
The Yard Bar
6.30pm-11pm | $10

Sunday Oct 26
The Sunday Session
Boomtown Beer Garden
5pm-6.30pm | Free entry

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