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Seniors Sports Carnival

On 3 April 2006, residents from 10 Australian Capital Territory aged care homes gathered at Manuka Oval for the third annua Seniors Sports Carnival. The event was organised by the Canberra Branch of the YMCA as part of the 2006 Seniors Week celebrations.

The Carnival was opened by ACT Minister for Sport, Mr Simon Corbell, and entertainment provided by the students from St Peter and Paul Primary School and the Lyneham High School Band.

In the weeks leading up to the Carnival the participants had been training with help of students from the School of Sports Sciences at the University of Canberra. The training had clearly paid off for the participants as they were all very competitive in their chosen events. The participants competed in bean bag shot put, frisbee discus, seated javelin, bean bag long jump, hot potato, bean bag high jump, seated volley ball, wheelchair obstacle course and bocce.

There were a number of records broken on the day including a throw of over 11 metres in the seated javelin. The overall winner of the Championship Trophy was Ainslie Goodwin Homes. Prizes were also awarded for best decorated wheelchair, best hair, the loudest cheer squad and oldest participant (who was 98 years old).

The special guests were representatives from the Canberra Brumbies Rugby Union and Raiders Rugby League teams.

The enthusiasm and determination shown by the participants on the day shows you are never too old to participate in competitive sporting events. Well done to every one.