11 FEBRUARY 2018
29TH New Zealand Masters Games Come to a Close
The Otago Community Trust New Zealand Masters Games came to a close tonight in Dunedin.
At the closing ceremony both Games Ambassadors, Sir Bryan Williams and Jodi Brown spoke about their highlights over the
last nine days where they attended many of the 6o events in the Games, meeting athletes and officiating at as many medal
ceremonies as they could.
BeeGee spoke about the amazing commitment and effort he witnessed in athletes, the warm welcome he received from people
he met everywhere, the wonderful Dunedin sites he’d visited including Tunnel Beach and made special mention of the
dedication and cheerfulness of the volunteers who contribute so much to the running of the games.
Jodi Brown said that when you are engrossed in your own sport you don’t appreciate everything that goes into other
sports.
“My time at the Games has taught me so much about the demands of many different sports. There have been so many
highlights and so many inspirational athletes. The Games have run so smoothly. It’s just such a fabulous event for our
city.”
It’s been a huge nine days for the Games administration and Games Manager, Vicki Kestila had nothing but praise for all
of those who made it happen.
She referred to BeeGee as a ‘natural ambassador’ with ‘genuine warmth’ and described Jodi as being ‘a hit with
absolutely everyone.’
She also thanked the volunteers and sports partners who actually make the Games happen and gave special mention to her
own team.
“Every Games I have a team working with me and it’s always rewarding to see them come together, giving their all for
nine full on days of the Games. It’s been a marathon effort for everyone involved this year. I personally couldn’t have
asked for a better team.”
The Games concluded with the Games torch being handed to Leighton Toy from the Whanganui Masters Games Trust in a
symbolic gesture of handing over the staging of the next New Zealand Masters Games in Whanganui in 2020.
ends