Hutchings, Hickey promote Games

MASTER: Three-time surf life saving ironman world champion Cory Hutchings recently took part in a sporting challenge with fellow World Masters Games 2017 ambassador and former All Whites striker Noah Hickey. The challenge was filmed and posted on Youtube (see below) to showcase the event for the thousands of visitors expected to compete in the games in Auckland. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

A SPORTS challenge between Gisborne man Cory Hutchings and former All White striker Noah Hickey gave both athletes a taste of what competitors will face in the largest multisport event on the planet in 2017.

Hickey and three-time surf lifesaving ironman world champion Hutchings are ambassadors for the World Masters Games in Auckland.

Around 2500 participants from 100 countries will compete in 28 sports across 45 venues during the 10-day Games.

Asked by former Silver Ferns captain Anna Stanley if he was up to competing against surf lifesaving legend Hutchings, Hickey said his opponent was a bit older so would probably need to get to bed earlier.

Hutchings said his only concern was that Hickey would take a fall during the day: “You know what these soccer guys are like.”

The face-off was filmed to help showcase Auckland to the thousands of athletes who will travel to New Zealand for the Games.

The athletes began with a round of archery at Cornwall Park followed by a golfing challenge with ocean views at Muriwai in West Auckland.

They then tackled a mountainbike trail and rounded off the mini-masters event with a waka ama race at Takapuna Beach.

Hickey said that despite his pain, he took comfort in the knowledge that, unlike Hutchings, he did not fall out of his waka.

“I was supposed to be The Old Man of the Sea, not The Old Man in the Sea,” Hutchings said.

“The cold water helped my recovery after the previous challenges so I wasn’t too upset.”

World Masters Games 2017 chief executive Jennah Wootten said the pair were good sports during the challenge and, as ambassadors of the Games, they helped communicate the message that masters sport was not just for much older people.

“You can be a masters athlete in your 20s. And you can be a masters athlete for the enjoyment as much as the competitive factor. It’s an incredibly inclusive event.”

The World Masters Games had a relatively low profile in New Zealand, but overseas masters sport at competitive level was held in high regard, she said.

“We are a sporting nation, but New Zealand does fall short when it comes to participation later in life. We’re hoping the World Masters Games 2017 will galvanise Kiwis to reconsider the role that sport plays in their lives.”

Registrations for the World Masters Games 2017 are due to open in February 2016. Both Hutchings and Hickey plan to enter.