Redefined weekly news that will ignite your attention

Toowoomba over-50s athletes prove age no barrier in GemLife Games

Wade and Judy Jensen, GemLife Highfields

More than 500 athletes, volunteers and spectators in their 50s to 80s — including a team of 45 from Toowoomba — will line-up to prove age is no barrier to competing on the sporting field at the GemLife Games on the Sunshine Coast on September 5 and 6.

Competitor numbers have almost doubled for the games’ second year, with participants from South-East Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria to battle it out in eight sports – tennis, pickleball, table tennis, ten-pin bowling, eight-ball pool, golf simulator, lawn bowls and swimming.

While some have played for decades, others describe themselves as ‘rank amateurs’ having taken up their sport mere weeks ago, but all have one thing in common — a desire to give it a go, have fun and meet new people.

An initiative of over-50s developer GemLife, the inter-resort event will be held at its GemLife Palmwoods community on the Sunshine Coast.

GemLife Highfields volunteer activities coordinator Wade Jensen, 71, has been busy putting together the Toowoomba team, while preparing to compete in pickleball and reserve for table tennis. His wife Judy, 69, will take part in lawn bowls.

Wade said he took up pickleball about three years ago — one of the many popular pursuits in the community, which has about 26 different activity groups to keep people active and connected.

“Pickleball is a relatively new sport, so you’re really striving to do your best in something new, which is one of the reasons I wanted to play it at this year’s games, but I’d play the lot if I could. I love it all,” said Wade.

“Most activities are popular around here — lawn bowls has the biggest membership at around 40, with pickleball and table tennis each having around 30 and tennis about 20.

“We feel pretty privileged to still be playing some of these sports.”

Wade said the upcoming games had ramped up the competition, with groups increasing their practice days in the lead up.

“It has definitely given some new enthusiasm to the activities,” he said.

“It’s a competition, but it is more than that. It’s great to have the opportunity to meet new people and have lots of friendly banter, as well as seeing those we met last year.

“As the second time the event has been held, it was easy to get interest because of the positive feedback from all those who went last year, with the majority putting up their hand again and new ones as well. We have teams competing in every sport.”

Wade and Judy Jensen, GemLife Highfields
Wade and Judy Jensen, GemLife Highfields

GemLife Director and CEO Adrian Puljich said the popularity of the GemLife Games was evident in the explosion of participants in this year’s event.

“We had 160 over 50s competing in our inaugural games last year. This year, we have more than 280 taking part, supported by a contingent of about 200 volunteers and spectators,” he said.

“We’ve expanded the games to a two-day event, so more people can participate and have introduced a new sport — swimming.

“The spirit of the games is truly inspiring, with so many of our over 50s willing to jump in and give it a go, no matter how much experience they have – and that’s what it’s all about. Trying new things, staying active, making community connections and having a laugh.

“Some of our competitors are driving up to 20 hours to be here from our southern communities like Woodend, Victoria, and Rainbow Beach, New South Wales, with many local residents billeting them for the games, which adds to the fantastic community spirit and sense of camaraderie.”