From petanque players to power-lifters, Perth will be the place to be in October when the 18th Australian Masters Games kicks off in the city.
This will be the second time the biannual multi-sport festival for fitness-focused weekend warriors aged 30 and over has been held in the WA capital. The first time the city hosted the week-long event was in 1993.
And of course Perth, nestled between the Swan River and Kings Park and Botanic Garden - one of the world's largest inner-city parks with over 3,000 species of WA's unique flora - Australia's sunniest city is the perfect base for your Australian Masters Games stay and to explore the greater Perth region.
Take a dip in the Indian Ocean at one of Perth's white sand beaches; indulge in the fresh produce and wine in the Swan Valley and Perth Hills; explore the eclectic port city of Fremantle and the aquatic playground of Rottnest Island; or, go swimming with wild dolphins at Rockingham.
Perth is also the ideal springboard to explore Western Australia and in Spring, when the Australian Masters Games are held, you'll find plenty of adventures.
Social network
As well as the myriad sports on offer to take part in or watch during the week, the other thing the games are renowned for is the social program.
During the games, play time will extend beyond the sports fields, with three iconic Perth venues set to host the more than 8000 participants for the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as a mid-week party.
Participants can walk the hallowed turf at Optus Stadium to celebrate the opening of the games. They can experience that iconic WA sunset and a beach barbecue at Coast Port Beach for the mid-week celebration.
And then explore WA's culture and history or dance the night away under Otto, the giant blue whale, at the WA Museum Boola Bardip to wrap-up the week-long festival of sport.
Something for everyone
And with entries now open for participants, and around 50 sports to choose from, it's time to pick your favourite and have a go. From netball and lawn bowls to wrestling and sailing there is something for everyone.
And the best news is, you don't need to be a superstar to participate, with entry open to all who meet the minimum age criteria (in most sports this is 30 years).
Australian Masters Games general manager, Kirsten Drower, said participants have a lot to look forward to off the back of a challenging 2020.
"We are planning an extensive sport program in October 2021. All the favourites will feature - dragon boating at Champion Lakes Regatta Centre, athletics at WA Athletics Stadium and softball at Mirabooka International Softball Stadium and we're also excited to announce a new racquet sport called padel has just been added to the program," she said.
And participants will not only be running, jumping and throwing their way to good health, they will also be supporting the Heart Foundation along the way.
- 2021 Australian Masters Games, October 9-16, australianmastersgames.com
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