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Ambassador Fitz at the Games
Sarah Fitz-Gerald reflects on the World Masters Games
 About
a year ago I was asked to be a Games Ambassador for
squash which was a great opportunity to get some
publicity for our sport in a massive multi sport event … the
Masters Games has the largest participation and entry than
any other event.
The opening ceremony was a real spectacle staged at
Sydney Olympic Park with over 28,000 athletes of
all sports and ages…it was a real celebration with
fireworks, dancing, singing and the chance of showing off
some of Australia’s talent, culture and traditions. All
athletes entered the arena under the banner of their sport,
rather than their country.
Bert Armstrong from Melbourne, owner of the largest
squash racket collection in the world, and who has attended
ALL Masters Games, was given the honour of speaking in front
of the athletes and crowd to deliver the Athletes Ode
(pledge).
The squash tournament had entries from Australia wide, NZ,
New Caledonia, Canada, USA, South Africa, Malawi, England,
Scotland, Ireland, France, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden,
Argentina, Uruguay, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and United
Arab Emirates.
The individual event was held over 7 days due to enormity of
the entry list and categories, then was immediately followed
by a 3 day team event. In true squash style, the parties and
socialising of the masters certainly lived up to its
reputation with the fantastic gathering of friends, return
of former players and familiar faces.
During my time as Games Ambassador, I had the opportunity to
rub shoulders with Australian sporting greats Murray Rose,
Ken Rosewall, Phil Kearns, Russell Mark,
Jenny Halliday, Debbie Watson, Daniel
Kowalski, Simon Fairweather, and given the
opportunity to spread the good word that sport truly is for
all ages …… we attended functions at the spectacular Sydney
Government House, Black Tie Gala Dinner with honoured guest
Prince Frederique of Denmark as well as our own
Tunku Peter Imran.
Friend, squash player and games participant David White,
brother of former World No1 John White, invited me to give a
squash demo to the squashies of the Australian Royal Navy at
Garden Island navy base …… quite a privilege as it is
exclusive to navy personnel only…..in return I sailed out of
Sydney Harbour on HMAS Parramatta one of Australia’s
main war ships, approx 20miles off shore and up to Newcastle
(Approx 3 hours by car away).
The next World Masters Games will be held in Torino Italy
in 2013. |
Complete results from all 33 divisions |
