WATCH: The 2015 55+ games kicked off in Dieppe Wednesday, as Global’s Shelley Steeves reports, the goal of the games is to encourage seniors to be more active and to explore their competitive side.
DIEPPE, N.B. – The 2015 New Brunswick 55-plus games kicked off in Dieppe Wednesday.
The games do more than offer a chance for those 55 and older to showcase their athletic prowess or skill at various games. The goal of the games is to encourage seniors to be more active and to explore their competitive side.
“The goal is to keep people active so that they can stay healthy longer,” said Emile Landry, president of this year’s games.
Especially, he says, given the growing number of seniors in the province. A crowd of nearly 400 showed up to register at this year’s games.
“Why do I like to do it? So I can beat somebody! No, just to have fun,” said participant Frank LeBlanc.
Landry says there are a variety of games seniors can take part in.
“It offers games that are, we’ll say more passive. Some are more active if you want for example we have golf, lawn bowling, darts and card games,” he said.
“This afternoon I am pitching horse shoes, tomorrow morning is bowling and tomorrow afternoon is pool. I go to the nationals and the provincials – I love it! ” said Elie Richard who has taken part in the games for several years.
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He says physical activity isn’t the only thing seniors find at the games.
“Camaraderie and friendships that last a long, long time.”
Metals are awarded to the winners much like the Olympics. There are a total of 17 different activities the seniors can take part in. The games takes place over the next three days and the winners of the events here can go on to compete at the nationals next year.
“Next year, they will be in Brampton, Ontario so the medal winners here have first dibs to go to Brampton,” said Landry.
Leblanc is determined to win himself a spot at the nationals in shuffle board. He says the games are all in fun, but jokes that there’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition.
“We have a few snowbirds here and they are the worst competitors and if they lose they will probably walk around with their heads down so you know who they are.”
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