Masters Games well underway

The 2021 Summerset South Island Masters Games got underway at a variety of venues around the province over the past five days.

The action began on Friday with a 5km and 10km walk/run on the Taylor River Reserve, football at A&P Park and pool at the Clubs of Marlborough.

On Saturday the action spread to Lansdowne Park with netballers, touch players and softballers joining in the fun, many in brightly coloured or themed team costumes.

On Monday participants in golf croquet, lawn bowls, euchre and T20 cricket joined the party.  

Bright, sunny weather greeted the participants on the first two days, while Sunday’s rain failed to dampen spirits among the hardy crews.

The annual Games will run from October 15-25, with over 2000 participants, officials and supporters coming into town.

The masters will spread their skills across 38 different sports at 22 different venues. Minimum ages range from 20 at swimming to 55 on the clay target range.

SI Masters Games event director Simon Carter was thrilled by the enthusiasm shown by participants across all the sports and praised the fortitude and spirit shown by the folk who braved the wet conditions on Sunday.

He said that during registration many of the participants had expressed their gratitude that the Games had gone ahead in such uncertain times, thus offering them a chance to take their minds off wider national issues for a few days.