The Masters starts this week in Geelong

from w
Our youngest son Andrew is over from Tonga to participate in the Masters Games. He's a  thrower, mainly javelin, but also discus, shotput and hammer. He took part in early Masters. Even Peceli took part in the javelin a few years ago - in the over 70s!  There's a super athletic woman who is now 104 who always wins medals at the Masters. Ruth Frith from Brisbane so I wonder if she is coming.

It's a wonderful event for Geelong and the athletics events will be at Landy Field down by the Barwon River. All ready to go - from Saturday next.

Geelong set for Masters invasion this weekend

2 October 2013

Geelong will be invaded from Saturday as 8,000 participants in the 14th Australian Masters Games descend upon the Victorian city for eight days of sporting and entertainment gold.

Whilst the emphasis will be on participation in the competition and enjoyment of the fine array of performers on the after-hours bill, there is no denying that there will be more than just a degree of focus on the results of the 50 sports that will be contested.

Nearly 13,000 medals are up for grabs – with around 4600 gold, 4200 silver and 3900 bronze scheduled to be awarded.

Two sports have attracted more than 500 entrants - athletics and softball heading the list as the most popular. Eight other sports have more than 200 participants – netball, basketball, dragon boat, swimming, golf, hockey, soccer and cycling.

Media accreditation for the 14th Australian Masters Games is now open. To apply for media accreditation, download the media accreditation form here, complete and return to 14AMG@jumpmedia.com.au.

Golf provides both the Games’ oldest female and male competitors – Sylvia Blegg from nearby Indented Head celebrated her 98th birthday this week whilst Peter Cox of Como in Western Australia at 90 will be the oldest man in action.

The 50-59 (35%) and 40-49 (29%) age groups supply the largest number of the Games entrants.

The Games have proven slightly more popular with men than women with males comprising 52.4 percent of participants. Seventy-five per cent are currently members of sporting clubs whilst 45 percent are Games loyalists - having attended at least one previous edition.

A little over half of those taking part hail from the host State but the news for Victorian tourism is good with more than 1000 participants from New South Wales and the ACT, nearly 700 from South Australia and well over 300 from each of Queensland and Western Australia. 138 will make the journey from Tasmania and 32 from the Northern Territory.

And joining them will be just over 200 participants from 13 overseas nations with Sri Lanka leading the way with 66 super keen Games entrants. New Zealanders comprise the second biggest international contingent with 45 on their way to Geelong, whilst the tiny Pacific nation of Guam comes next with 35, mostly competing in basketball. Papua New Guinea rounds out the top four visiting countries with 26.

The Australian Masters Games will be staged from Saturday 5 to Saturday 12 October and is one of Australia’s largest multi sporting events.

Entertainment and social activities including an opening and closing ceremony ensure it’s an event anyone 30 years and older should tick off their bucket list.

Mental as Anything and James Reyne will star at the opening ceremony whilst Pseudo Echo will headline the ‘Funky Town’ 80’s themed closing ceremony.

For further Australian Masters Games information and to register, visit -

www.AustralianMastersGames.com