Mark Beretta – Dragon Boat
Channel Seven sports presenter Mark Beretta, a 10-time Australian national waterskiing champion and avid road cyclist will swap the bike for a Dragon Boat when he lines up in the Australian Masters Games.
Beretta will join more than 8,000 participants in 57 sports at the 14th edition of the Australian Masters Games.
Entries are now open at www.AustralianMastersGames.com for this year’s event, which will be staged from Saturday 5 to Saturday 12 October in Geelong.
“I’m excited to return to my home town with my family and showcase Geelong to the rest of Australia. It will be an exciting week of sport and entertainment, and Dragon Boat is going to be something foreign to me but I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Beretta said.
“I have always participated in sport and the Australian Masters Games is another great way for people to stay active in a fun atmosphere.”
The Australian Masters Games is one of Australia’s largest multi sporting events, with everything from athletics to golf on offer. Entertainment and social activities including an opening and closing ceremony ensure it’s an event anyone 30 years and older should tick off their bucket list.
Geelong hosted the Australian Masters Games in 2009 and once again will show why it’s a world-class sporting destination.
Australian Masters Games organising committee chair Kean Selway understands the positive impact the Games will have on Geelong and as they draw closer encourages people from all walks of life to get active and participate at the Games.
“The Australian Masters Games highlights the importance of life balance and the role sport plays within the community. We are proud to offer people from around Australian and the world the opportunity to come to Geelong and join in the festival of sport and entertainment,” Selway said.
“We have provided a program that delivers something for everyone, with so many sports on offer at the Australian Masters Games.”
“The beauty of the Australian Masters Games, like Mark (Beretta) trying Dragon Boat for the first time, it allows you to participate in a sport you might have played as a kid or something completely new.”
Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation The Hon. Hugh Delahunty, a keen sportsman who played for Essendon in the Victorian Football League during the 1970’s is a strong supporter of the Australian Masters Games and people remaining active in their older years through organised sport or personal exercise.
“The Australian Masters Games is a mass participation sporting event that highlights the benefits of remaining active no matter your age, and encourages people to be more active, more often” Delahunty said.
“The Games also accommodate non playing attendees and volunteers. Both groups play an important role in the success of sport at all levels, including the Australian Masters Games. Without the coaches, managers and sports volunteers the event wouldn’t be possible.”
“These are just some of the many reasons the Victorian Government is proud to support major events like the Australian Masters Games.”
Australian Masters Games fast facts:
| What: | The Australian Masters Games is biennial sporting event that is regarded as one of the premier and largest mass participation events on the Australian sporting landscape.
The Games promote the importance of health and fitness for mature-aged individuals and also aim to stress the significance of balancing physical activity with social outcomes. In doing so, the Games highlight the myriad of attractions of sport – skill, achievement, competition, social interaction, and satisfaction.
2013 will be the 14th edition of the Australian Masters Games. |
| When: | Saturday 5 October – Saturday 12 October, 2013 |
| Where: | Geelong, Victoria is the host city of the XIV Australian Masters Games. Just an hour from Melbourne, Geelong is set on a sparkling bay with a well-developed and welcoming waterfront precinct, and an array of nearby tourist destinations. |
| Who: | Over 8,800 people from across Australia and overseas are expected to converge on Geelong for this week-long event. Participants will come from all walks of life – the only criteria is that they must be over 30 years of age at the time of the Games (selected sports such as gymnastics may have a lower minimum age). There is no maximum age or qualification criterion, only the minimum age requirement. There is also no limit to the number of events a person is allowed to compete in. |
| Events: | There will be close to 60 different sports on offer, ranging from athletics to croquet. The participating sports are available on the event website – www.AustralianMastersGames.com |
| Entertainment: | As well as an extensive sporting schedule, the Australian Masters Games will also comprise a variety of social events throughout the week, providing a festival atmosphere for both competitors and visitors to Geelong. |
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