MEDIA RELEASE:
24 October, 2011
Nelson’s first South Island Masters Games “A great success”
The organisers of Nelson’s first South Island Masters Games are heralding the event as a great success.
The NZCT South Island Masters Games 2011, supported by the Nelson City Council, the NZ Community Trust and many local
businesses, has just finished its nine days of events. Three thousand athletes aged over 30 years old competed across 50
sports in-front of more than 1,500 spectators, making it one of the largest participation events in the South Island.
Games General Manager Chris Thomas says the reaction to the Nelson games has been very positive.
“The games started with a bang, as six New Zealand Masters records were broken on the first day,” Thomas says. “We were
elated to have so many records fall this year, and then having more than 1000 people at Saxton Field on the opening
weekend competing across athletics, netball and football created an incredible atmosphere. It was hilarious fun.
“Throughout the event we heard fantastic comments from participants and spectators,” he says.
“People have said to us that it was so good they plan to enter more events next time, people who didn’t know much about
it have said they wished they had competed themselves, and a lot of people have loved the chance to both play sport, and
visit Nelson.
“Once again, the games have brought together a wide range of people, from professional athletes and perennial masters
competitors, to naturally sporty people who entered multiple events for fun, to people who have not played sport for
years but wanted to give it a go,” he says.
“We’ve had many 80 and 90 year old competitors, the oldest being 97-years old, heart transplant athletes, a competitor
who entered more than 14 events, the Nelson Mayor, and even former Tall Blacks involved in the games. It has been
wonderful.”
The Tasman Regional Sports Event Trust (TRSET) was pivotal in bringing the games to Nelson, and also securing it for
Nelson in 2013. The Trust’s Chair Bruce Fraser agrees the 2011 event has been good for the region.
“For the Trust, the success of the South Island Masters Games is gauged by participation numbers, the experience
athletes and spectators have, and the positive spin off for the sponsors, and the community and businesses involved,”
Fraser says. “Anecdotally it looks like Nelson’s first South Island Masters Games has been a success on all counts.
“Athletes have also been impressed with the Saxton Field Complex,” he says. “The athletics track was in perfect
condition, the football pitches were in good order, and visiting table tennis players were very impressed with the
flooring and lighting of the table tennis venue.
“The management, sporting codes, sponsors and the volunteers have worked very hard to make the games a success, so a big
thank you must go out to everyone involved,” he says. “You have all been fantastic ambassadors for our region. The Trust
is really looking forward to the games returning in 2013, and hopefully beyond.”
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