Masters prepare for 10 days of fun and games

Marlborough’s various sporting venues will be utilised as never before from October 15-25.

For 10 days the province will play host to the annual South Island Masters Games, which has attracted over 2000 participants, officials and supporters to 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.

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

SI Masters Games event director Simon Carter, who has had to shape the Marlborough-based activities around the on-going COVID restrictions, said, “everything was all go in terms of the overall event”.

“Obviously we have a number of participants who come from outside the South Island, including some based in Auckland, who are now unable to attend, but apart from that we are good to go.”

Plans for the social gatherings, such a key part of the Games, were put on hold in the early stages of the recent lockdown, but Simon says that “with things starting to loosen up in regard to what we can and can’t do around events both indoors and outdoors” he was working with the venue organisers “to see what could be put together in that area”.

He was full of praise for the willing and able volunteer workforce at the various events.

“We are really fortunate that Marlborough is blessed with such good assets and facilities and wonderful sports co-ordinators who have got involved to make it possible.

“What is also exciting is that we will see the better part of $50,000 go back into the local community through those sports clubs that have assisted with putting on these Games.”

Despite having to work his way through uncertain times in the build-up to the 10-day event, Simon says there are no nerves as opening day approaches.

“I’m just excited really … personally I can’t wait to see people flock into town and be able to get involved in something.”

The Masters Games kick off with three activities on Friday, October 15 - a 5km and 10km walk run on the Taylor River Reserve, football at A&P Park and pool at the Clubs of Marlborough.

Sports, dates, venues, minimum ages

Athletics - Oct 17 – Athletic Park (minimum age 30)

Basketball – Oct 24-25 – Marlborough Lines Stadium (25)

Beach volleyball – Oct 24 – Lansdowne Park (M35, W 30)

Clay target shooting – Oct 21-22 – Wairau Bar (55)

Cribbage – Oct 20-21 – Clubs of Marlborough (30)

Croquet – Oct 21-22 – Blenheim and Brooklyn clubs – (50)

Croquet golf – Oct 18-20 – Blenheim and Brooklyn clubs (50)

Cycling (road) – Oct 17 – Fairhall region (40)

Cycling (track) – Oct 16 – Athletic Park (40)

Dance sport – Oct 17 – Clubs of Marlborough (30)

Euchre – Oct 18-19 – Clubs of Marlborough (30)

Football – Oct 15-17 – A&P Park (M35, W30)

Golf – Oct 19, Oct 21-22 – Rarangi and Marlborough clubs (30)

Golf (twilight) – Oct 20 – Blenheim GC (30)

Hockey – Oct 22-25 – College Park (30)

Indoor bowls – Oct 21-23 – Simcox Stadium (50)

Indoor cricket – Oct 16-17 – Simcox Stadium (35)

Lawn bowls – Oct 18-21 – Blenheim BC (30)

Mountainbiking – Oct 21 – Blenheim, Picton (30)

Netball – Oct 16-17 – Lansdowne Park (30)

Indoor netball – Oct 23-24 – Simcox Stadium (35)

Walking netball – Oct 16-17 – Lansdowne Park (40)

Pickleball – Oct 20 – Simcox Stadium (35)

Pool – Oct 15-17 – Clubs of Marlborough (40)

Softball – Oct 16-17 – Lansdowne Park (30)

Swimming – Oct 23 – Marlborough Lines Stadium (20)

Rogaine – Oct 18 – Wither Hills Farm Park (30)

Table tennis – Oct 16-17 – Simcox Stadium (30)

Tenpin bowling – Oct 20-21 – Simcox Stadium (35)

Tennis – Oct 23-24 – Marlborough Tennis Centre (35)

5km run/walk – Oct 15 – TBA (30)

10km run/walk – Oct 15 – TBA (30)

Indoor rowing – Oct 16 – Marlborough Lines Stadium (30)

Touch – Oct 16-17 – Lansdowne Park (27)

Volleyball – Oct 22-23 – Marlborough Lines Stadium (M35, W30)

Functional fitness – Oct 23 – Crossfit, Blenheim (35)

Sailing – Oct 23-24 – Queen Charlotte Yacht Club (30)