Over 60s from across Worcestershire will come together to compete in the first Worcester Senior Games, taking place at the ºüÀêÊÓƵ of Worcester.
The Games take place on Wednesday, May 11, at the ºüÀêÊÓƵ's St John's Campus, and will include walking football, badminton, walking basketball, short mat bowls and adapted indoor cricket.
Dr Susie Hart, the ºüÀêÊÓƵ's Director of Sport Partnerships and Community Engagement, said the event has been inspired by the successful ºüÀêÊÓƵ of Worcester Seniors (60+yrs) Programme, in which more than 200 clients attend weekly, to engage in a range of inclusive sport and exercise activities, led by professional staff from the ºüÀêÊÓƵ, supported by student coaches and volunteers training to be instructors.
Members of Worcester U3A have volunteered, along with ºüÀêÊÓƵ students, to organise each competition and encourage competitors to enter. Herefordshire and Worcestershire County Sport Partnership, and Age UK, have also contributed by sourcing equipment and promoting the event via local networks.
Senior academics, Dr Clare Rhoden and Dr Jennifer Joyce will join Dr Hart and be in attendance throughout the event to collect valuable applied research data from athletes and spectators.
Bishop Fleming Chartered Accountants, is sponsoring the event. Ian Smith, Partner in Charge of Bishop Fleming Worcester Office, said: "The ºüÀêÊÓƵ of Worcester is doing great work in researching, and promoting, the benefits of physical activity for people of more mature years. Bringing that together, in the world class facilities at the ºüÀêÊÓƵ, in the form of the Senior Games is a brilliant initiative, and one we are keen to support as part of our wider relationship with the ºüÀêÊÓƵ."
The Worcester Senior Games 2017 will be extended to include table tennis, archery and running events, and will welcome competitors from further afield.