After a six-year hiatus, Australia's first and longest-running masters games has returned to Alice Springs. The week-long sporting event is targeted at the over 30s and has drawn hundreds of sports enthusiasts from across the country to the red centre.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00After six years, the Masters Games sprinting back into Alice Springs.
00:07Like we felt, oh the Masters are back, there's just magic in the air.
00:13Australia's longest running Masters event is open to everyone over the minimum age, 30 for most sports.
00:20Whether you're good at sports or ordinary, there's so many things you can do.
00:26It's been a record-breaking week for some, including local legend Debbie Page,
00:31who competed in 14 events, breaking two records in road-walking.
00:36And it just shows that, you know, we can have these little personal goals at any age.
00:41But while there's been wins for some, the Games themselves have suffered a poor turnout.
00:46Multiple sports dropped in the lead-up, with participant numbers a third of what they were six years ago.
00:52Competitors claiming cost-of-living pressures and soaring airfares are a key issue.
00:58But it hasn't dissuaded Raymond Marr, who's competed in every Masters Game since 1986.
01:05I hope to keep going as long as I can.
01:09At 87, he's one of this year's oldest participants, and the only competitor in his age group.
01:15Later on, when the medals come out, there'll probably be only one in there, my fluke of medal there.
01:22Organisers say it's been a success, but wouldn't commit to the event's future.
01:27We consult with our stakeholders, with community groups,
01:30and we will do that same process for the Alice Springs Masters Games.
01:34Participants hopeful it'll come back stronger in 2026.
01:38We need something to focus on that's really uplifting and positive.
01:42Hopefully I'll see how I go and try and keep fit enough to have another hit.
01:47So it's game, set and match for this year's Masters, with hopes the event will return in the years to come.