FROM ATHLETES to volunteers, there's still time get your skates on and sign up for the 17th Australian Masters Games, which will kick off in Adelaide this October.
One retiree who can't wait to return to South Australia for the event is 74-year-old figure skater Maxine Gray.
An Adelaide girl from way back, Maxine - who now lives in Canberra - is looking forward to returning to her hometown in two months' time to join more than 8000 masters athletes, across 51 sports, for the games.
Maxine is the oldest competitive figure skater in the national capital, often competing against skaters who are up to 50 years younger than she is.
Having participated in Adelaide when the Games where last held there in 2015, she can't wait to get back on the ice in her old hometown.
"The Masters Games is a wonderful way to bring people together across so many sports," said Maxine. "It's a truly enjoyable experience."
Maxine didn't start skating until she was 37, to support a friend going through hard times. The friend dropped out soon after but Maxine fell in love with the sport.
"I love being on the ice, but it's more than that," said Maxine.
"There's a lovely camaraderie among the skaters that crosses age groups and other boundaries. It's about having fun together."
Maxine recently competed at the annual International Adult Figure Skating competition in Germany, claiming first place in the Bronze Ladies Free Skating and Artistic fields.
She will catch up again with some of these skaters who are also competing at the masters games this year.
"It's a good feeling to finish on the podium and I will do my best. But I'm happy to still be competing and I hope I can encourage other people to give it a go. It's a great sport."
'As long as I'm alive I'm there'
Another retiree prepped and primed for the event is 80-year-old powerlifter Mick Hunt.
The South Australian grandfather of eight first started pumping iron as a young teen in England, and has been powerlifting at his local gym for 67 years - where he trains three times a week.
This year's games will mark his return to competition after a 50 year hiatus when he steps up for the bench press event in the 60kg weight class for the 80+ age category.
"As long as I'm alive, I'm there," said Mick.
"I want to do well obviously. I'm probably close to an Australian record, which would be very nice. But it all depends on the day, doesn't it? "It's a bit of an ego thing."
Games general manager Gary O'Donnell encouraged anyone over the age of 30 years to consider taking part in this year's event.
"It's never too late to get back into the sport you enjoyed as a youngster, or take up a brand new sport that you've never tried before," Mr O'Donnell said.
"The only criteria to participation are that you meet the minimum age limit, which in most sports is 30-years. We have entrants of all standards and abilities, and many who come just for the social occasion."
Kochie in on the act
Also signing up for the event is Sunrise presenter David Koch.
The avid sports fan is trading his suit and tie for active wear as the official ambassador for the games and has entered the indoor rowing competition taking place on October 8.
"I prefer the rower for my cardio sessions at the gym over a bike or treadmill," said the 63-year-old.
"I am most looking forward to the camaraderie of a bunch of people doing something they love," Kochie said.
Volunteers: the winning formula
And if competing is not your thing, how about signing up to be a volunteer?
This year will be Adelaide's Carol Redford's seventh time volunteering at the event.
She said along the way she has made great friends, including one who she has done the last three games with.
In 1989 Carol helped with pre-games tasks from stuffing envelopes and packing kit bags to registering participants. "Having just completed my medical receptionist studies I needed something to keep my newly acquired skills and brain going," she said.
She said despite the "huge hours and long lines" the experience was "fantastic, meeting people from so many places".
"During the 1989 games I was also tasked with results; they were faxed in, checked and entered into the old green and black screen computers. I remember doing this in the old ANZ bank late into the evening. It was a baptism of fire for me as I had not long before learned about computers."
Now most of the processes - from payments to registrations - are done online.
"How technology has changed," said Carol. "And with it the volunteering experience at the games!"
The Australian Masters Games aims to promote the benefits of long-term health and wellbeing by providing a platform through which adult Australians can get active, and socialise through sport.
This will be the seventh time Adelaide has hosted the biannual festival.
South Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, David Ridgway, said the event will create a huge buzz around the city, and is expected to attract thousands of participants from interstate and around the world.
Geraldine Cardozo
Features Editor at The Senior.
Features Editor at The Senior.
