 THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!
The Games are now only 134 days away so
it’s
time to decide what sports you are going to compete in and start
preparing.
Just as importantly Early Bird entries close 31 October
2008 so if you want to save $$$ on your registration fee, enter
today!
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 GAMES AMBASSADOR
Commonwealth Games Gold Medal Winning athlete Dick Tayler
returns as the Games Ambassador for the February 2009 event in
Wanganui.
Dick is best known for his triumph in the 10,000m at
the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch in 1974, where he won
gold with a time
of 27 min 46.40 sec. The
current Commonwealth Games record currently stands at 27 min 45.39 sec,
just 0.61 of a second quicker.
Dick has held various New Zealand
titles, namely, 880yds in 1967, 1 mile in 1966, 1500m in 1970,
10,000m in 1973 and one of his best wins, the Cross
Country
Senior
in 1973. Dick also held the World Record for 4x1 mile relay raced in
1972 and was ranked number one in the world for 10,000m in 1974,
which is the
same year
he was voted NZ Sportsman of the Year. And just this year he was awarded
the title of ‘Athlete of the Century’ by the Ariki Track
Club of Otago.
Dick has had his share of highs and lows through his life
from being
ranked number one in the world for 10,000m in 1974, to becoming bed
ridden with
Arthritis 12
months later. It took three years before he was able to get back into
light jogging, but by then his athletic career was over.
Dick is a real
peoples' person, who left the family farm because he missed being
around people. He is a very keen rugby man and is currently
the
President of
the Canterbury Rugby Supporters Club and holds a very high profile
in the Canterbury province. Dick has also been appointed as ambassador
for
the
entire West Coast
region.
A well sought after dinner speaker, Dick has a great ability
to mix a brand of serious and lighthearted humour and is also a great
motivator.
So much
so that
prior an important and memorable match for the Crusaders against
the Waratahs, Dick was asked by Robbie Deans to speak to the team
and hand
out the playing
jerseys. People are asking, "What did Tayler say?" because
the Crusaders went out and thrashed the Waratahs by 96-23!
Dick has
many interesting stories to tell and has met some interesting people.
Arthur Lydiard played a major part in Tayler’s success in
1974 and how he prepared “Richard”, as he was known
then, for that memorable race, is a must hear.
Dick only became
involved in the New Zealand Masters Games in 2006,
but having experienced two subsequent Games he has come to know
and love
the event and
truly understand why Masters Athletes go crazy when they start
talking about it.
Dick will be out and about at the Games in Wanganui
in February probably competing in the “Push Play” 5k
and 10k competitive Road Walks and presenting hundreds of NZ
Masters Games medals to the many winners, which is something
Dick gets a huge kick out of.
“To see the smiles and beaming elation on those people’s
faces is something you can’t help but become a part of emotionally”,
says Dick.
Make sure you say Hi to Dick when you see him at the
Games - he
just loves to have a good yarn.
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GAMES THEME
Every NZ Masters Games in Wanganui has a theme and
the Games Village is always decked out with appropriate decoration
to enhance the experience for the participants.
And 2009 is no exception but this year the theme will not be based on a
place (such as the Whanganui River as in 2007) but on an era. The raging 1960’s
was a time close to the hearts of many Masters athletes mainly because
we grew up in that era which established most of our morals and
attitudes.
And that is why you will find a typical Masters athlete plays
hard (but fair)
and parties even harder.
 Words like ‘raging’, ‘hip’ and ‘rock
n rolling’ explain
why Masters have trouble standing still for any length of time. And having
icons like Elvis, The Beatles and Bob Dylan can't help but bring about
a healthy zest
for enjoying life. Make sure you don’t miss out on the entertainment,
action and excitement in the NZCT Games Village this year.
Dressing up
in typical 1960’s gear or as your favourite 1960s idol is
to be highly encouraged.
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 PLAYER PROFILE
Clare Scott
Clare Scott of Mount Maunganui at just 82 years young
is already lining up for the next Masters Games in Wanganui.
Having
participated in every Games in Wanganui since 1991, Clare is
just as keen about her 10th Games as her first. “I only missed
the very first one, but have made every one since. I just have
so much fun and I want to keep coming as
long as I am able”.
And Clare is no slouch on the course. She has
picked up Gold medals at the 1995, 2001 and 2007 games as well as gaining
bronze at both the 2003
and
2007 Games.
Clare will be competing in both the mixed foursomes at the
Marton Golf Course as well as the individual competition being
hosted by the Castlecliff
and
Wanganui Golf Clubs in 2009.
Over 400 golfers are expected to join
Clare at the NZ Masters in February including players already
confirmed from Australia, French Polynesia
and the United Kingdom.
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FREE ACCESS TO YOUR
OWN PERSONAL TRAINER
Many sports injuries
can be linked back to poor preparation and a lack of training.
Now's the time to start putting in the effort to ensure that you
get
the most out of your time at the Games. ACC has developed ActiveSmart, a
free online
resource that will develop a training plan tailored specifically for you.
The plans can cover running, walking or cycling and can be customised
for soccer,
netball, rugby or just general fitness. It can also provide you with a nutrition
plan to help you in your build-up.  To start training today,
just register online and answer some basic health questions that will allow
ActiveSmart to come up with the best plan for you.
Also on the
site is heaps of other information and tips on how to maximise the
time you spend training, weather updates for your region and stretching
exercises.
So what are you waiting for?
Head on over to www.activesmart.co.nz
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1 Visit our NZMG website www.nzmg.com and
use the online registration system to enter and pay in one simple process
for instant entry acceptance.
And by registering online you will automatically go into the lucky draw
to WIN
your entry fee back. OR
2 Download the entry book from the website www.nzmg.com,
fill
it in and post it off with your entry fee to NZ Masters Games, PO Box 500, Wanganui
4540.
OR
3 Phone 0800 35 40 45 or email info@nzmg.com to order
your own entry book
and we will mail you one straight away. Or pick one up from any Shoe
Clinic store or selected i-SITE or Les Mills Gym.
Sponsor Profile #1:
SPARC the Sport and Recreation Council of NZ are avid
supporters of the NZ Masters Games. Knowing the importance of an active
lifestyle
(especially as we grow older)
for keeping our health in good order, SPARC realised the NZ Masters Games is
a great way to help focus people (who already have busy lives) into a regular
physical exercise habit.
Preparation for the NZ Masters Games gives people a
focus and a reason to get out and get active.
SPARC are also very impressed
with the volunteers input for NZ Masters Games and are keen to hold
the event up as a great example for spirited community
input.
SPARC will be at the Games helping our Volunteers to
help participants to have a great and memorable time.
Sponsor Profile #2:
As the original instigators of the New Zealand Masters
Games, the WANGANUI DISTRICT COUNCIL has a long and deep seated relationship
with
the event.
Started as an initiative by Council back in 1989 the
city holds the NZ Masters Games up as an iconic event in its biennial
calendar.
The Wanganui District Council
realises the Games have a significant impact on the community both socially & economically
and therefore wholeheartedly supports the event by utilising its full resources
and backs it with encouragement of the whole community to commit to the success
of the Games. The Wanganui District Council has over the 20 year life span
of the Games, instilled a true sense of ownership of the event by the Wanganui
community
making it something quite special and unique.
The Wanganui District Council
works hard behind the scenes to ensure the next Games will the best ever.
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