Introduction From The Management

The man behind the wheel of the NZ Master Games, Manager David Penn

We invite you to register for the event so you can be part of this wonderful ‘Festival of Sport and Entertainment’. Experience our ‘Masters’ along with some real Wanganui hospitality. The Games provide an atmosphere which allows us to re-kindle old friendships, make new friends and continue to enjoy the sport that we all love and has given us so much.

This will be my second Games as Manager and, to this day, I still feel very privileged to be at the helm of what is such an incredible event and experience for us all. On behalf of my Board of Trustees and the team behind me at the Event Office, it is my pleasure to invite you one and all to join us in Wanganui in February 2005 and become part of this wonderful “Festival of Sport and Entertainment”. My first Games proved to be an enlightening experience and one I observed closely. I came away from those Games with some new ideas which I believe will add to the successful template we already have, making your time here even more enjoyable. I hope the new initiatives will prove to be agreeable to you as a participant and accommodate to your needs.

You will note there are 67 sports this year, well up on last year. The Sport Co-ordinators have been fantastic in the way they’ve put their events together, ensuring the perfect venue (most within 10 minutes walk of the Village), smooth running on the day and competition at all skill levels. Get involved and maybe try a new sport or one you haven’t played in years.

Testimony to the enjoyment that can be achieved here is the prominent local businessman who, in 2003, played 12 different sports and won 20 medals. He tells me he’s taking a group of mates through the same routine at next February’s event. Now there’s a challenge! There are also the ‘recreational’ events for those of you wanting to just get involved, such as Social Petanque and the Twilight Combo. Have you thought about playing Euchre?

The Powerco Games Village will again be a major attraction for those looking for entertainment. The Village Marquee is the main feature and the venue for all the social activity. Bands will provide the music from 8pm every night, with the early evening activities including sports events, exhibitions, concerts, and key note speakers. The Wanganui Lifestyle Expo provides all the visitor information, internet facilities and a café, while the new onsite ‘Archway Foodcourt’ will cater for your appetites. The Olympics will prove the theme for our Games and it is anticipated ex Olympians will participate in certain events. Additionally, for those people wanting to participate in ‘quieter’ surrounding, a new smaller marquee (“Tom Green Suite”) will provide a relaxing environment.

One of our new initiatives revolves around this Entry Pack. The presentation folder option allows us to not only get the Entry Book to you but also ensures you get much of the relevant visitor ‘event time’ information well in advance of your arrival. We hope this helps you with your planning, gives you an awareness of the city, the many things to do and see, and encourages you to stay a little longer! Accommodation and restaurant listings are included toward the back of the Entry Book. Furthermore, I trust the Entry Book layout will prove to be a little more user friendly. Its loose leaf style give you the option to dispose of any forms not required, if necessary it is easier to photocopy, and the presentation folder provides you with a file to keep all your Games information together. Included in the Entry Pack is a postcard. If you’ve enjoyed the Games, why not introduce a friend or relative to this amazing event – I’m, sure we all have wonderful memories of the sport, entertainment, camaraderie, and social encounters so why not let others know. A ‘reunion’ may be well overdue and what better place than the ACC Thinksafe NZ Master Games to get together. Remember, it’s all about participation, all skill levels and generally for age 30 plus (depending on each sport).

The alliance with the Pan Pacific Masters Games (see newsletter) is a very exciting and positive development. In August we will launch their new on-line registration programme on our site. It is very user friendly, to the extent it has had a nearly 50% take-up. Why not save time and enter on-line?

Another new this time around is the availability ‘ahead of the event’ of Games Merchandise. It is available now from either our supplier R P London Apparel, Wanganui, the Games office or online at www.nzmg.com. A selection of our exciting range is on the reverse and the balance can be viewed on our website.

If you require any information at all, please feel free to contact any of us at the Games office or visit our website www.nzmg.com.

We look forward to seeing you all next February.

David Penn
Manager