THE Southern Trust New Zealand Masters Games has announced Sean Johnson is the 2015 ambassador.
A former world lawn bowls silver and bronze medal winner, he has had the distinction of playing 99 tests for New Zealand and in 2013 was inducted into the Wanganui Sports Hall of Fame.
There is no event quite like the New Zealand Masters Games (NZMG) in the country, not to mention its enviable reputation as one of the best masters events in Australasia.
"We are delighted to have a local athlete, whose career is so inspiring, act as ambassador for our 2015 Games," CEO of the Wanganui Events Trust Judy Doyle said.
The next New Zealand Masters Games is in Wanganui from January 30 to February 8 next year.
The event is organised and run by the Wanganui Events Trust, trading as New Zealand Masters Games (NZMG).
Doyle is the 2015 games manager.
Since its inception in 1989, the NZ Masters Games has grown from humble beginnings of 1500 entrants competing across 29 sports to more than 8000 entrants and 67 sports.
The 2015 New Zealand Masters Games is the 26th Games held in conjunction with Southern Trusts' partners in Dunedin.
The Games is a 10-day event comprising more than 55 different sports and more than 2400 individual events. Minimum qualifying age starts from 20.
Located conveniently close to the sport venues and commercial heart of the city, the NZCT Games Village provides a unique and unforgettable focal point to the games.
The philosophy of the games is inclusive, focusing on participation and achievement where competition is important, but not all important and where there is no minimum requirement for skill or experience.
People return year after year to re-kindle friendships and re-unite as teammates in a place that celebrates fair competition and spirit.
Competitors recapture the thrill and emotion of their youth through participation and achievement over the huge range of sports on offer. Some accomplish more as a "Master" than ever before in their lifetime.
The energy and atmosphere of the games is infectious among the young at heart - it's about "letting your hair down for a while" and enjoying sporting success, whether you're 35 or 75.
"There are very few sporting events which offer people of all ages, shapes, sizes, abilities and levels of experience an opportunity to participate, achieve and have a truly memorable time doing it," Doyle said.
NZMG attracts 5000-6000 participants, plus their supporters, to each event.
For many of the competitors, the event is a highlight on their sporting calendar. A whopping 85 per cent have indicated an intention to return to the next event, and every year new converts are welcomed to the "Masters" culture.
Many visitors are from overseas representing over 22 countries to date including Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, the US, Canada, Turkey, Sri Lanka, France, Denmark, Italy, Brazil, India, Hong Kong and the Pacific nations.
Former sporting greats such as Sir Brian Lochore, Andy Haden, Peter Snell, Dick Tayler, Yvette Corlette (Williams), Aaron Slight, Peter Bellis, Gary Anderson, Frank van Hattum and Simon Owen, to name only a few, have competed alongside other competitors in the spirit of the masters movement.
Apart from the minimum age designated by each sport, there is virtually no other criteria for entry.