Brandon will be Young at Heart
- Details
- Published on Friday, April 15, 2016
By Sheila Runions
Publicity
Brandon Rotary Club and James B. Chrisp United Commercial Travelers (UCT) have partnered to host the 34th annual 55 Plus senior provincial games in their city. The competition will be held throughout Brandon for three days in mid-June. These organizations have selected Young at Heart as the theme of their games. Because both service organizations have blue as their primary “corporate” colour, that will be the colour promoted throughout the June 14-16 competition. The title sponsor is Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MLL) so plenty of recognition will also be given this crown corporation.
A total of 23 different age-friendly sports will be played by more than 1,000 athletes. The Young at Heart volunteers will be easily spotted in their blue shirts with MLL logo. The 16 executive committee members will “sport” a slightly different shirt, to distinguish them as perhaps more knowledgeable than the everyday volunteers who may be working at any number of the dozen venues in and around the city.
The games is the largest multi-sport event for Manitoba’s older adults. Registration is already open; it closes on May 13 (May 20 for slo-pitch). There is a fee associated to playing in the games, which varies on the sport and the number of events each athlete will enter during the three-day competition. Anyone who is 55 years of age by Dec. 31 this year is eligible to compete in any event except contract bridge, cribbage and whist. These three card games are so popular that regional playoffs are held to determine winners who are eligible to qualify for the provincial 55 Plus games. There are 14 regions in Manitoba and qualifier rounds conclude the end of April so players are able to now begin making their travel plans. Westman region does not have qualifier rounds for these games so any Westman card shark can enter without having to worry about defeating opponents beforehand.
If you travel to Brandon from a distance and will require an overnight stay(s), please assist the Young at Heart committee. They have worked with Brandon First to secure grant moneys, which will be based on the number of beds booked for this event. When you confirm your motel, hotel or bed and breakfast room, please tell the registration desk you are a games participant.
More information about the games can be found at www.alcoamb.org. If you would like to volunteer with the Young at Heart committee and receive a free T-shirt, please contact Bea Storm (204-726-5740/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or Phyllis Elliott (204-728-6817/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).
