Competition builds up for this month’s Masters Games
Registrations for this month’s South Island Masters Games have been extended to Monday (7 September).
More than 1300 participants have already registered for the week-long festival of sport for the over 30s, from 30
September to 4 October.
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20-year-old Emma Marriott
Former Rugby League Captain Tony Coll, who played 30 tests for the Kiwis in the early 1970s, will be tackling the
mountain biking course and the cycle road race. Coll, who took up biking seven years ago, sees his first South Island
Masters Games as an opportunity that puts less stress on his body while giving him the full joy of competing.
“I love the sport (mountain biking) and have ventured into road biking for the past three years. I know these types of
events are really competitive, which suits me fine," says Coll. He has no set goals but is looking forward to competing
in a friendly environment.
Also in a first for the SIMG will be the entry of its youngest participant, 20-year-old Emma Marriott who will be
competing in the 20-30 age group in gymnastics. Emma retired from rhythmic gymnastics about four years ago due to a
hamstring injury after representing New Zealand a few times in Australia, America, Canada and Hawaii. She was the NZ
Senior International Champion in 2003-2004.
“I can’t wait to perform at the Masters. It will be good to get back out there even if for just one time. I am doing it
purely for fun and, hopefully, maybe get fitter at the same time,” says Emma.
“This is rare in Masters Games. Our youngest entrant has had a highly successful career in the sport, representing New
Zealand at a range of international competitions. The athletes in this sport have a shelf life of six years and start
very young,” says Ken Dunning, Communications Manager for Special Events Aoraki Ltd which is organising the SIMG. It was
one of the reasons to accept Emma as a Master despite her age, says Dunning.
Dunning has also pointed out that the organisers were keen to book in more teams in the indoor events, mainly indoor
cricket, table tennis, indoor netball and indoor football. A featuring highlight of the indoor events will be the indoor
triathlon where participants will use facilities at Jellie Park to run on a treadmill, ride a stationery bike and work a
rowing machine to compete. The popular events have attracted good numbers with netball having a record field of 52
teams, says Dunning.
www.simasters.co.nz.
ENDS