Nathan Buckley named as ambassador for 2024 Alice Springs Masters Games
An AFL legend and hometown hero has been chosen as ambassador as the Alice Springs Masters Games returns for the first time in six years. Read what he had to say about the opportunity.
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AFL legend Nathan Buckley has returned to Alice Springs to embrace the town and its surrounds after being named the Masters Games ambassador.
The Alice Springs Masters Games date back to 1986, making them the second longest running Masters Games in the world, and attract thousands to the Red Centre every two years.
However, the celebrated competition has not been run for six years, postponed twice because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Buckley believes their return will be huge for the town.
The former Collingwood player and coach who spent his youth playing in the NTFL will speak at the opening ceremony and spend plenty of time at the event from October 12-19.
And he’s already had a chance to reacquaint himself with the town loving every moment visiting famous places such as Standley Chasm or stopping by Page 27 on Todd Mall.
“It was awesome to get back to Alice, and have a look and feel for the place after so long away,” Buckley said.
“The opportunity actually came through family ties, and when it landed on my desk I jumped at it, I remember the old Arafura Games which my dad competed in, so this is like a full circle moment.
“The Red Centre is so different to most of Australia, and it’s under visited, people don’t consider it as much as a location as they should given its sheer size, beauty and difference to anything else.
Buckley said the social commentary around Alice Springs, including a wave of crime over the past couple of years, could not be ignored.
But the return of the games and an influx of tourist would help build some momentum for the Central Australian city.
“These games will help build positive momentum, and I guarantee anyone that goes there is going to have an amazing experience both in the games and in the area,” he said.
“And word of mouth will pick up from there and I just feel great to be involved in something like that for Alice.”
He was also excited to get involved with the games meeting the athletes from across the country who refused to let their sporting careers go.
There’s about 30 different sports on the schedule across 10 days ranging from golf to lawn bowls to cricket, with Buckley considering trying his hand at the eight ball.
“The Masters Games is brilliant for a cohort of people who refuse to give up and refuse to accept they can no longer be athletes,” Buckley said.
“The community engagement and fun element of sport has not been a prevalent part of my experience being in elite sport my whole life, but that’s what the Masters Games is about.
“It’s about getting the chance to test yourself with like-minded people whether achieving a PB or just completing an event, while enjoying it which is as positive as sport can get.
“I love seeing the older athletes who just refuse to allow Father Time to knock them over in terms of their sporting mortality.”
To enter the event or find out more, head to alicespringsmastersgames.com.au
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