Masters Games: One week to showcase of sport and culture

Wanganui Events Trust's new chief executive Judy Doyle hopes to get more people involved in the Masters Games and increase use in Wanganui's facilities. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

It's the final countdown to the Southern Trust New Zealand Masters Games.

In just one week's time the opening ceremony will kick off in the Games Village at Springvale Park. Make sure you're centre stage at 7pm as Wanganui showcases a unique spectacle of culture, character and passion. You will be left with no doubt that the 2015 Masters Games is indeed a special event to be part of.

The construction of the Games Village started on Monday and is well on track to being the beating heart of this year's Masters Games.

As in previous years, you will find a dedicated team of enthusiastic individuals waiting to answer any questions you may have.

You can register at the village, check out sport results, browse through photos thanks to the Wanganui Chronicle, and be able to watch a few of the 55+ sports on offer this year. You will be able to eat delicious food and of course, sit back and relax - or get up and dance, to some very talented performers.

Official word from HQ is that entries for three sports have already closed. They are Team Softball, Team Basketball and Petanque. So this is a reminder to all those still wanting to enter and participate in the various sports, to jump online at nzmg.com or head down to the Masters Games HQ next to the Splash Centre and register.

At last count we had participants entered from 14 different countries, including Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, Singapore and Canada, with the biggest participating country, behind New Zealand, being Australia.

When looking at the New Zealand regional breakdown, we can see that after Wanganui our majority of participants are coming from Manawatu, followed closely by Wellington then Auckland and when it comes to the gender war, males pip females, only slightly, with 55 per cent of the participant share.

It's the final week before the beginning of the biggest sporting event on the Wanganui calendar. While registrations are still open they are filling fast.

Remember if you don't want to participate you can still buy a supporter's pass to enjoy all the activities and atmosphere.

The Southern Trust New Zealand Masters Games - see you there in seven days.