55 Plus Games

2 MANITOBA LIQUOR & LOTTERIES 55 PLUS GAMES | SUPPLEMENT TO THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS BY JENNIFER McFEE ❙ FOR THE FREE PRESS For participants in the 55 Plus Games, it's a win-win experience whether they bring home a medal or simply enjoy the outing. That's certainly the case for brothers Terry and Larry Ladyman, who will be pickleball partners this year for men's doubles. Larry, who turns 80 in July, is no stranger to racquet sports since he was a provincial badminton champion in his younger years. Now, he's hooked on pickleball, which combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. As he gears up for the 55 Plus Games, he is looking forward to a fun and friendly competition. "At my age, I'm just happy to participate. I'm not looking to win anything," Larry said. "It's good to get the exercise. We certainly need that. And the people are nice, too, so it's always lots of fun." Expressing similar sentiments, 74-year-old Terry is also ready for another enjoyable experience at the Games. "At this stage, we're really looking forward to just participating because we're not the athletes we think we used to be," said Terry, who brought home silver last year in mixed doubles and bronze in men's doubles. "The 55 Plus Games do a great job. The people who put it on dedicate a lot of time to it. It's not expensive at all and it's played at different communities around the province, so you can make a weekend out of it." Like his brother, Terry has developed a passion for pickleball and can't get enough of the sport. "For a lot of us, it's given us a real change in the way we live our lives. We're playing three times a week, two hours a day," he said. "You get really serious about it and there are real health benefits as well." Adding to the excitement, a healthy sense of competition still exists between the Ladyman brothers. "With my brother being five years older than me, he was always so much better than me in sports. Finally I can beat him, but it took 70 years to get to that stage," Terry said with a laugh. "Playing with him as a partner is a real treat when things are going well. And when they're not, you enjoy the exercise and enjoy what the other people are getting out of it." For 72-year-old Betty Peterson of Neepawa, the 55 Plus Games have been part of her annual routine for the past 17 years. "I compete in horseshoes and all sorts of crafts. I do porcelain dolls, decorated wreaths, covered photo albums and more," she said. "Every year, I try to put something in each one of the categories, even if I have to learn how to do it." The Games were also a family affair for Peterson, whose mom competed in the cribbage competition several years ago at age 97. "The year after she competed, she passed away. But her partner was 89 and the two of them just about got the bronze medal," she said. "I was hoping so much for them, but they didn't quite make it." Whether you're participating in athletic or artistic events, the 55 Plus Games provide a worthwhile excursion for all involved. "The Games are just wonderful. I admire everybody that's worked for them and, of course, I volunteer every year at every senior games because I'm so involved in it. I really enjoy going to it and I meet so many great people every year. It's always good times," Peterson said. "For people who don't want to compete, they can go down and volunteer. It gives you something to really look forward to and it's a wonderful experience for everybody." ❙ art facilities including the Shamrock Centre, which will play host to several sporting events including fivepin bowling, the recently opened Canadian Wilderness Inn hotel and an 18-hole golf course with a history that dates back to 1927. The lineup for this year's Games will include several traditional sports including golf, cycling, track, swimming and slo-pitch as well as activities such as shuffleboard, snooker, whist and bridge. One of the most popular events is expected to be pickleball, a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. Bocce has also been added as a demonstration sport. While the competition in some events will be keen, MacTavish emphasizes the Games are about much more than just winning and losing. "The No. 1 focus is being active and involved and doing everything people can to remain fit," he says. "People need to remain active as they get older and this is a great opportunity to do that and be exposed to some of the things seniors are doing these days." In addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle, the Games also provide an opportunity for participants to engage in a number of social and cultural activities. The opening night will feature a live concert with a focus on homegrown musicians and a performance by members of the local Filipino community. In addition, the opening ceremonies will feature a special tribute to the country's 150th birthday and there will be a Canada 150 lounge where visitors will be able to enjoy a cold beverage or a bite to eat. "We would like that to be the social centre for the Games," MacTavish says. "We hope it will be a gathering point for people throughout the games." While the Games will only last for three days, MacTavish hopes the event will create memories that last a lifetime. "We know the Games are going to bring a lot of people to our community. We think if people come down here for a day or two they'll want to come back again." For more information on the Manitoba 55 Plus Games or to register for an event visit the ALCOA-MB website at www.alcoamb.org. ❙ CO - CHAIRS OF THE MANITOBA 55 PLUS GAMES, BOB MOORE AND ROB MACTAVISH. SUBMITTED PHOTO << CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE GAMES ALL ABOUT GOOD TIMES The 55 Plus Games have been part of Betty Peterson's annual routine for the past 17 years. SUBMITTED PHOTO Brothers Terry (left) and Larry Ladyman will be pickleball partners this year for men's doubles event. DARCY FINLEY PHOTO

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