IT was to be the first time the Tatiara district would host the South Australian Masters Games, yet the celebration was short lived with the mammoth athletic event cancelled due to COVID-19.
The event was expected to attract a vast number of tourists to the region, but due to COVID-19 fears the event had been cancelled earlier this year, which left the committee members to put on their creative hats to maintain the community spirit.
Taking the games to social media, the organising committee encouraged those within the region to share – either in photograph or video – how they would have participated in the games resulting in over 40 athletes entering the one of a kind competition.
“It was important to the regional organising committee that we acknowledged the Tatiara Masters Games especially given we are all feeling the effects of COVID-19,” Master Games committee member Cathy Langley said.
“It was especially important we all had a bit of fun doing that and seeing a smile back on peoples faces.”
Offering some of the official 2020 Tatiara Masters Games medals as incentives, the competition was launched at the same time the games would have commenced.
“We ran it for the full five days and were overwhelmed with the response,” Langley said.
“We were so heartened by the response from our local community and beyond, including those who were not only active in supporting and planning for the actual games, but also those who jumped on board to celebrate the virtual games.
“It was so great to see so many people get involved and have some fun in a particularly uncertain period and definitely lifted community spirits.”
Saying it was important to keep the momentum going for the 2021 Cooper Coast Games, Langley said the competition was a fun and engaging way to remind the masters athletes even though the games were cancelled, 2021 is “just around the corner”.
“With social distancing recommendations in full effect, social media was a great way – and the only way – to get our physically active audience more involved in our games,” she said.
“They certainly delivered and we hope they will join us in person in the future.”
Louise Densley took home the gold medal in the photography category with Maryke Krop in a close silver and Desert Dragons taking home the bronze.
The video category had Kieran O’Donovan obtain gold, Team WD place silver and Sonia Smith placing bronze.
