Foxtail, shoot for the hoop, string ball toss, frisbee net throw and the ring toss are just some of the games on offer at the annual Elders Games Day to be held at Jigamy Farm on Thursday, April 12.
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Twofold Aboriginal Corporation is hosting the event and are encouraging all elderly people in the Bega Valley Shire to come along and join in the fun.
The games are open to over 50s, but younger people are encouraged to come along and to show their support for participants.
“It is a fun day. The games really bring out the competitive streak in elderly people,” Twofold Aboriginal Corporation care program manager Alison Simpson said.
The Elders Games Day is modelled on Aunty Jean’s program which is a chronic disease management and prevention program and is designed to improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal people.
The program also includes the Koori mini-Olympics and is implemented locally by Aboriginal health worker Joe Stewart.
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“We have taken that idea and bought it down to a smaller scale. Each game is designed to strengthen cognitive ability,” Ms Simpson said.
The event is supported by some of the regions healthcare providers including Grand Pacific Health, Katungul and Campbell Page who have all been invited to attend.
Eden Marine High School also supports the event with students coming along to help out with the days festivities.
“Students undertake scoring, help with the clean-up and help ensure that the elders needs are met,” Ms Simpson said
Ms Simpson said that inviting younger people along is also an opportunity to flip the script on sporting participation, and helps to foster a greater appreciation of elders in sport.
“Often elders go along to sporting events and watch their grandkids participate in sport. This is a reversal of that,’ she said.
This is also an opportunity to show support for the Twofold Aboriginal Corporation that provides a vital service to the Aboriginal community in Eden and more broadly.
“We encourage everyone to come along,” Ms Simpson said. “A lot of people don’t know what we do down here. I would encourage everyone to come along and see what we do, and support what we do.”
The Elders Games Day will include men’s and women’s events and will run between 10 am and 2 pm. Registration is free and morning tea and lunch will be provided. Competitors can register on the day.
