INSPO Fitness Journal April 2017

Competition goal:
Survival is desirable but not critical. But I
do want to win the trash talk battle pre-race,
regardless of whether I can back it up or not.
Olympic bronze medal rower Nathan
Twaddle takes his place as one of a number
of highly successful New Zealander rowers in
recent years. It was in the pairs that he carved
out a successful international career, teaming
up with George Bridgewater to take the World
Championship title in 2005 in the famous
Gifu Kiwi medal haul.
The duo went on to take two more silver
medals in 2006 at Eton and 2007 at Munich.
His career highlight is undoubtedly when
he and George won the bronze medal at
the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Accolades and
awards followed including the Halberg Team
of the Year title in 2005.
Now an Athlete Life Advisor with High
Performance Sport New Zealand, based in
Cambridge, Nathan still enjoys rowing socially
with mates from the Auckland Rowing Club.
“The competition and camaraderie of
rowing was always a big part of why I rowed
and masters events means I can continue to
do so. In fact a few mates and I were recently
discussing what sports we might compete
in at the World Masters Games 2017 – there
are certainly plenty of options even outside
of rowing, and I’m looking forward to being
part of such an exciting event.”
Allison Roe
WMG Event: Mountain biking
Competition goal:
Get to the start line fit and healthy - then I
will be free to express myself.
Described as athletics’ Golden Girl, Allison
Roe was one of New Zealand’s greatest
distance runners. Images of Allison winning
the 1981 Boston and New York marathons in
course record times are some of the most
enduring in New Zealand athletics.
Her twin wins in the US were followed by
a world record for the 20km set in Japan.
Since ending her competitive running career,
Allison’s name has become synonymous with
health and fitness.
“These days my business interests coincide
with my personal passions – health and
fitness - so an involvement with World Masters
Games 2017 is a wonderful and logical fit
for me,” says Allison.
As a former national titleholder in three
sports, including triathlon, Allison has a
range of sports options to compete in at
World Masters Games 2017.
“I’m lucky to have lots of choices – from
swimming, running and cycling - and while
I was hoping to try something different like
rowing, injury has ruled that out.”
Susie Simcock
WMG Event: Golf
Competition goal: Enjoying being part of
my third World Masters Games, especially at
home in Kiwiland.
International and national sports management
specialist Susie Simcock has a CV
which is probably unrivalled in this country.
She is best known as New Zealand’s “Mrs
Squash” as a player, manager and administrator,
and was the first woman elected president
of the World Squash Federation.
Susie has been a long-time NZ Olympic
Committee member and is both a New
Zealand Olympic Order holder and Halberg
SPARC Leadership awardee.
Masters sport is a real passion for Susie
– not only has she been a medal-winning
competitor, she has also applied her considerable
sports management experience
as a Governor of the International Masters
Games Association from 2002 to 2010. She
says masters sport is a wonderful opportunity
for passionate sports people to have an
ongoing involvement in their chosen sport
– participating, competing, having fun while
keeping fit and healthy together with the
many other benefits that sport provides.
Golf is Susie’s current sport of choice and
she is keen to once again take part in a World
Masters Games competition.
“I’m excited to be part of the very special
opportunity World Masters Games 2017 provides
for Kiwis to be inspired and challenged
to join sports people from around the world
in the biggest multisport, multinational
sporting event on the planet.”
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