BY BILL PHILLIPS
bill@pgdailynews.ca
Think your days of being a competitive athlete are over? Think again.
Think about competing in the 55-plus BC Games this September in Kelowna.
Registration opens today (March 1), so if you’re 55 years old, or older, why not get involved and compete … you could bring home a medal. There are 30 sports to choose from, which almost runs the gamut of the alphabet.
“It goes from archery to whist,” says Linda Meise, Zone Director for Zone 9. “There are some sports that are more active, like track and field and cycling, and there are some that more social such as whist, cribbage, and darts.”
Zone 9 stretches from 70 Mile House to Mackenzie, east to McBride and almost to Vanderhoof. Meise oversees sport coordinators for the South Cariboo, Central Cariboo, North Cariboo, Mackenzie, and McBride and then each sport has its own coordinator as well.
There will be 30 different sports at the Games in the Kelowna.
If you’re thinking about participating, or just want some more information, go to the Games’ website at www.55plusBCgames.org. Pick a sport you’re interested and, once on the website, If go into the zone page on the website. There you’ll find your sport registrar and can contact them through the page to actually register and pay your fees.
Meise expects about 200 competitors from Zone 9 will make the trek to Kelowna for the Games September 10-14.
Prince George hosted the Games in 2008, which it drew about 2,500 athletes. The Games in Kelowna will likely draw about 3,500-4,000 athletes.
“It’s competitive, but there’s a lot of support and a lot of camaraderie between all the athletes,” she says. “It’s a lot of fun. It’s a great social event and it motivates a lot of people to get up off the couch and do something.”
It’s best to decide, and plan early, as competitors will have to make their own way to the Games and with close to 4,000 athletes attending, booking a room now rather than later will likely be easier.
Meise encourages everyone over 55 years old to check out the Games. You could just have the time of your life.
“Get out there and see what it’s all about,” she says. “We would be very happy to see you, no matter what level you’re at, even if you haven’t done anything in a particular sport. Maybe you haven’t done it since high school, just come and see us I’m sure there will be something for you.”
The 55-Plus BC Games go September 10-14 in Kelowna. Why not be a part of it?