Masters Games 2011 Wrap

Fantastic weather, 420 eager participants representing 15 churches, an official opening by the City of Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard and the 10th annual Masters Games 2011 was underway.  Session 1 sports included Badminton, Netball, Chess and Slot Car Racing held at Warwick Leisure Centre as well as sports at venues nearby of Lawn Bowls (Warwick Bowling Club), Carpet Bowls (Warwick C of C) and Croquet (Warwick Open Space).  All this activity had developed appetites for participants keen to tuck into their hamburgers and sausage sizzles that were available in the entrance courtyard to WLC.  Lunch is always a great opportunity for catching up with old friends and creating new ones as we saw community and relationship building in action.  After a little time for digestion, session 2 sports were underway with Volleyball, Table Tennis, Uno, Sudoku and Tennis at WLC; and Eight Ball (On-Cue Billiards), Bocce (Warwick Open Space) and Archery (Warwick Open Space) not too far away.  The quick changeover to session 3 saw participants playing Basketball, Scrabble, Darts, Mastermind (all at WLC), Bocce, Kubb (both at Warwick Open Space) and Ten Pin Bowling (Warwick Superbowl).  For a number of tired and weary bodies, this is where Masters Games 2011 ended after having a great day of fun and friendship, wondering if their body will recover in time ready for next year's Masters Games.  For just over 90 people, pre-dinner nibbles in the WLC foyer and a spit roast catered presentation dinner in the function room was the way the event concluded them.  We were guided through the evening by MC's Ash Wright (Sonshine FM) and partner in crime John Rivett with a light-hearted approach to some of the day's stories and the traditional 10 question table quiz.  John Hutchinson shared with us about building relationships and the challenge of asking us 'Why are you here?' and who could we invite to next year's event with the intention of ministering to them.  Winners and Runners Up certificates for each sporting event were handed out by Jim Longbottom and Scott Joy, culminating in the announcement of the final overall church placings.  The Masters Games champions for 2011 were Warwick, followed by Whitfords and Encounter.  A fitting way to end Masters Games each year is by viewing the video that had been produced throughout the day, lots of highlights and hundreds of faces told the story of the day and showed why some of those viewing it were feeling a little sore.

Thank you to all those who attended, the volunteers who assisted, our sponsors and the staff here at Warwick Leisure Centre that did a fantastic job in putting on another memorable and successful event.  Please make sure that you mark Saturday 13th October 2012 in your diary and plan to attend our 11th instalment of Masters Games.