Recreation

South Island Masters Games

RunnersChristchurch will be hosting the South Island Masters Games from 30 September to 4 October. Twenty-nine events at both competitive and social levels, are spread over the five days.

The South Island Masters Games, which alternate between Christchurch and Timaru, use an open entry system for mature athletes. There are no qualification criteria - athletes don’t need to be nominated or to represent a club to take part.

Activities at the South Island Masters include badminton, canoeing, cricket, cycling, football, gym sports, golf, indoor bowls and netball, petanque, power lifting, walking and running events, mountain biking, swimming, table tennis, tennis, touch, shooting and lawn bowls.

Masters Games

Masters Games are multi-sport events for mature sportspeople with a minimum age of between 25 and 35 depending on the sport. Events are held at competitive and social levels. The South Island Masters Games, which alternate annually between Christchurch and Timaru, regularly attract national and international athletes competing to achieve personal bests and to break New Zealand and World records, but the element of friendship and socialising is also very strong. The South Island Masters Games website describes their event:

Most sports have both competitive and social grades so you don't have to be a top performer or even a current competitor to enter. There are no qualification criteria - athletes don’t need to be nominated or to represent a club— they represent themselves.

Athletes can be an absolute beginner lining up against an ex-All Black or a novice against a world record holder! Anyone can enter— as long as they are old enough.

Most sports take entries from age 30 or 35 and upwards. All people with disabilities are encouraged to enter events at the games where applicable and event organiser will endeavour to cater to your needs. And just because the emphasis is on participation, doesn’t mean it‘s a social event. (Although the social programme at the SIMG is legendary!)

World Masters Games

The World Masters Games are held every four years and attract thousands of participants. Sydney hosted the event between October 10 and 18, 2009. Torino will be hosting the 2013 games.

Further information

Our online resources

  • Masters sport Listings for Masters sporting organisations in Christchurch. From CINCH, our community information directory.
  • Sports pages at Christchurch City Libraries

Internet Gateway links

International Masters Games Association (IMGA)
International Masters Games Association (IMGA) was constituted in 1995 from member International Federations to be the representative body of Masters sport worldwide
South Island Masters Games
Annual competition which alternates between Christchurch and Timaru
New Zealand Masters Games
Annual national masters games competition
New Zealand Masters Athletics
National organisation for masters athletics
New Zealand Masters Swimming
National organisation for masters swimming
More sports websites
from the Internet Gateway at Christchurch City Libraries

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