Eight months to go: Entries open for 16th Australian Masters Games in Tasmania

With eight months to go before the 16th Australian Masters Games, entries are officially open for 45 sports that will be hosted in Tasmania’s North West from 21-28 October 2017.

The sports that are now available for entry include AFL football and tenpin bowling and they join athletics, hockey and basketball as just some of the options for those wanting to participate. More than 5,000 competitors are expected to come together to compete in the week-long festival that will celebrate sport in a uniquely Tasmanian environment.

Athletes will be signing up to have a ‘devil of a time in Tassie’ and to compete in this biennial sporting event the only box you need to tick is the minimum age requirement, which is set at 30 years for most sports.

The Games will also feature a variety of social events throughout the week that will give everyone involved a great opportunity to experience everything that Tasmania’s North West has to offer. “Tasmania will be the perfect backdrop for our event and with such a large variety of sports on offer there’s something for everyone.” general manager Scott Wade said.

“In recent years, the Games have been a big success and we are more than confident of providing everyone, from competitors to volunteers, a unique and different experience in Tasmania’s North West.”

Chairman of the Games Advisory Board Royce Fairbrother announced that the opening of entries with eight months to go coincides with the launch of the North West Coastal Alumni program The alumni program has put the call out for everybody with connections to the region to come home and celebrate Tasmania’s North West by supporting or taking part in the Australian Masters Games.

“If you have been a resident of Tasmania’s North West previously, this is your chance to come home for a visit and be part of one of the largest multi-sport participation events on the Australian sporting calendar,” Fairbrother said. “We want everyone connected to the North West to celebrate that connection, and be involved in the Australian Masters Games as a participant or volunteer.”

A further nine sports are expected to be opened for entries in the coming weeks including cycling and mountain bike riding.

For travel and accommodation enquiries and advice a hotline number, 1800 649 514, is now live for anyone wanting assistance in organising their stay in Tasmania, especially those in large groups from interstate clubs or teams.

When: Saturday, 21 October – Saturday, 28 October 2017

Where: Tasmania’s North West, across nine local Council areas, including Burnie City, Circular Head, Central Coast, Devonport City, Kentish, King Island, Latrobe, Waratah/Wynyard and West Coast.

Who: Approximately 5,000 people from across Australia and overseas. The event is open to anyone who meets the age requirements of their sport of choice. It does not impose qualifying standards and welcomes participants from all over the world. The only criteria to compete in the Australian Masters Games is you must meet the minimum age criteria which in most sports is 30 years.

What: A week-long festival of sport and festivities. Australia’s largest regular multisport Games will feature 40 plus sports, ranging from lawn bowls to softball to touch football. Visit www.AustralianMastersGames.com for the list of sports.

Entertainment: As well as an extensive sporting schedule, the Australian Masters Games will also comprise a variety of social events throughout the week, including an Opening Ceremony in Devonport and Closing Ceremony in Burnie, providing a uniquely Tasmanian festival throughout the region for visitors and local communities of Tasmania’s North West.

The Australian Masters Games is supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania.

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Media enquiries regarding the 16th Australian Masters Games can be directed to:
Christy LaPlante
Games Media and Communications
T: 03 9822 7110 or 0439 246 489
E: AMG@jumpmedia.com.au

Scott Wade
Games General Manager
T: (03) 6433 8445 or 0400 219 203
E: scott.wade@unisport.com.au