55 Plus Games

3 MANITOBA LIQUOR & LOTTERIES 55 PLUS GAMES | SUPPLEMENT TO THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Since their inception 34 years ago, the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries 55 Plus Games have had three stated purposes. First, the 55 Plus Games were to be a vehicle to provide a sport and recreation outlet for friendly competition for Manitobans aged 55 and older. Second, the Games were conceived to provide and promote opportunities that contribute to the education, culture, social activity and general well-being of Manitobans over 55. Third, the Games were started to engender a sense of community spirit by bringing older adults, their families and communities together to participate in an all-encompassing event. And if there was to be an overall theme to the Games, it would have had to be this: you're never too old to play. Not to mention you're never too old to be competitive in a sport, said Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries' Community Relations Co- ordinator, Janine Stephens. "I've been fortunate enough to have attended the Games three out of the past four years," said the retired rower, a two- time Olympian who won a silver medal as part of the women's eights rowing team in London in 2012. "I've seen some pretty incredible stuff. Sports like baseball and pickleball are very competitive. People train hard because it's a big event for them." So much for the notion that once you hit senior-age, it's all downhill from there. Over the course of this year's Games — which will run June 13-15 in picturesque Killarney — people aged 55 and up will compete in events that include fivepin bowling, golf, bocce, slo-pitch, track, pickleball and many more. "We're expecting approximately 1,000 people at this year's Games, a figure that includes both participants and volunteers," said Stephens. "I've not only been constantly impressed with the competitors — many of them are in their seventies — but I've also been impressed with how communities (recent Games venues include Brandon in 2016, Beausejour in 2015 and Neepawa in 2014) always step forward to put on a great event." Not surprisingly — due to the more mature worldview that comes with being 55-plus — the Games are about more than winning. While it's important for people to compete a high level in their chosen sport, they now also recognize the importance of enjoying the entire three-day experience. "Of course, the Games are a celebration of the fact that people can still be competitive in sports past the age of 55, but the Games also represent a great opportunity for people to get together from all over Manitoba to celebrate the ability to get active," she added. "It's also neat to visit different areas of the province to see what they have to offer." Started by the Manitoba Society of Seniors in 1983, the Games found a new home with the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults in Manitoba (ALCOA-MB) in 2012. ALCOA-MB sets the tone for the event, said Stephens. "They oversee the Games, and set the bar every year. Not only is the competition great, but so is the hospitality. The organizational committees come through and deliver year after year. Things like a wonderful opening ceremony, medal presentations and a banquet at the end of the event combine with everything else to make for a great event every year." Make no mistake about it, the 55 Plus Games is something that competitors mark down on their calendar as soon as the current Games conclude. "It's a very positive event, something that people look forward to in a big way — that's why you see so many coming back to compete year after year," said Stephens. "The competition, camaraderie and wonderful towns the Games are held in make it an easy decision for people to take part in the Games for as many years as they can." The 2017 Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries 55 Plus Games will run June 13-15 in Killarney. For more information, visit alcoamb.org. ❙ About the 55 Plus Games The 55 Plus Games offer up many opportunities to promote the benefits of healthy active living for older Manitobans and many opportunities to encourage all Manitobans 55 years of age or older to participate in regular physical, mental and social activities associated with the 55 Plus Games. 55 Plus Games' purpose: ❱ To provide a sport and recreation outlet for friendly competition for Manitobans 55 and over. ❱ To provide and promote opportunities that contribute to the education, culture, social activity and general well-being of Manitobans 55 and over. ❱ To engender a sense of community spirit by providing the opportunity and catalyst for bringing older adults, their families and the community at large together to participate in the 55 Plus Games. NEVER TOO OLD TO PLAY BY TODD LEWYS ❙ FOR THE FREE PRESS

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