The Semiahmoo Peninsula will be well represented when the BC Seniors Games begin next month in Langley.
Nearly 60 White Rock residents, plus hundreds from Surrey, are registered in a number of sports, including hockey, horseshoes, tennis and bocce, to name but a few.
When the B.C. Seniors Games were first held in 1987, 650 athletes over the age of 55 competed. This year, more than 4,000 athletes will go for gold medals in their respective sport.
This year’s event is set to run Sept. 9-13.
Earlier this month, event organizers in Langley held an official event to kickoff a Games’ countdown, which included a speech from Kwantlen First Nations’ elder Kevin Kelly.
“We pay respect to our seniors; it is very important, our elders are our teachers,” he said.
“Always take the time to talk to your elders. If you don’t, you lose your culture.”
Athletes from the Peninsula have always fared well at the annual summer event. At last year’s BC Senior Games – which were held in Kamloops – winners included LaVerne Brown and Floyd Stanley, who won gold in mixed doubles tennis; Joseph Incantalupo, who also won gold on the tennis court, in men’s doubles; and South Surrey’s Kerbey Young, who won a medal of every colour in table tennis.
Organizers are also still on the lookout for volunteers, even those who can only commit to as little as half a day helping out.
The goal is to have 1,500 volunteers, Games’ vice-president Michael Jackstein said earlier this month.
Volunteers are needed for a variety of positions, including sport set up and management; lost and found; traffic control; security; hosting and medal presentation; results centre; and participant accreditation.
To register as a volunteer, go to the Games office (#101-20560 Fraser Hwy.) between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday), phone 604-533-8065 or email volunteer@bcsg2014.com
For more information about the Games, go to www.bcseniorsgames.org
– with files from Gary Ahuja