From archery to trail running: Inside the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games

The Great Barrier Reef Masters Games are back and there’s still time to register in any of 22 sports – and you don’t have to be as old as you think.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden will be cheering on netballer Tia Cribb, softball player Yoriko Wallis and netballers Chloe Butler and Sharon Massey-Chase in the Masters Games from May 29 to June 1. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Great Barrier Reef Masters Games are back and there’s still time to register in any of the 22 sports, with $9m expected to be injected into Far North Queensland.

The Games, held every two years in Cairns since 2013, will take place across the Cairns, Atherton and Mareeba regions from Thursday, May 29 to Sunday, June 1.

Sports include archery and trail running, with 30 years old the minimum age for most sports.

But some sports such as swimming and pickleball have a minimum age requirement of just 18 years.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the Games, which currently have 2200 participants registered, injects about $9m to the region and provide pivotal support to local sports clubs, as registration fees are channelled back into them.

The Games attract interstate and overseas participants, but Ms Eden said they were particularly important for Cairns participants.

“It’s absolutely competitive but with fun with a capital F,” Ms Eden said. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Cairns does have a level of transient population, so these games really give everyone an opportunity to meet new people outside of their immediate circles,” she said.

“We know that a healthy and active community is one that is engaged and involved, and these sports really provide that opportunity.

“From a mental health point of view, from an active living point of view, it’s extremely important.”

Cairns Netball program manager Sharon Massey-Chase said there were 43 netball teams registered for the Games, with one team from Papua New Guinea.

Ms Massey-Chase said the Games were competitive but also fun.

“It just shows our younger generation that not everything has to be competitive,” Ms Massey-Chase said.

“So obviously it’s an opportunity for those younger people to see that you can still get out there and have fun and enjoy the sport that you love to play for years to come, all the way into your 60s.

“It also keeps men and women in our sport active …(and) the camaraderie, the fun, the connection and the community spirit that you can get out of playing a team sport is awesome.”

Registrations close on Thursday, May 29. To register, visit gbrmg.com.au

Originally published as From archery to trail running: Inside the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games