Selwyn Times: April 04, 2018

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Wednesday April 4 2018 9
Local
News
Now
Fire rages, homes at risk
Christchurch sporting event
KEY DATES:
•Cricket – April 1-8
•Basketball – April 1-8
•Netball – April 1-8
•Golf – April 8-14
•Softball – April 8-14
•Hockey – April 15-22
•Football – April 15-22
•Squash – April 15-22
•Rugby – April 22-29
•Lawn Bowls – April 22-29
As team names such as the
Saracens Saggy Sacks, Lincoln
Lizards, The Gentlemen of
Nowra Eleven, Karaka Stallions,
The Tequila Shots and the Shore
Ravers suggest, they like to have
a laugh.
Many of the competitors met
each other at Golden Oldies
tournaments 20 years ago, and
look forward to catching up
again.
Saracens Saggy Sacks captain
Steve Murray reckons it’s about
scoring a few tries and sharing
a pint or two afterwards. “Most
of the players have done our
dash with competitive sports in
our younger years and now it’s
time to focus on the fun and the
friendships you form along the
way.”
Other ambassadors on the
sidelines will include Sir Graham
FUN: North Canterbury’s Saracens Saggy Sacks are looking
forward to taking part in the Golden Oldies rugby tournament.
(Right) – Canadian couple Sandy and Tony Bateman are
volunteering and playing cricket this week in Christchurch.
Henry, Sir Bob Charles, Rod
Latham, Julie Seymour, Alan
Stroud, Todd Blackadder, among
others.
What will the event bring to
the city?
It’s not all about the sport.
History suggests Golden Oldies
like to have a good time out of
the sporting arena – and they’re
big spenders. Many like to go to
bars and eateries, go shopping
and sightseeing, and they will
need accommodation. It is
expected to bring $33 million
of direct economic benefit to
Canterbury.
ChristchurchNZ attraction
general manager Linda Falwasser
said anytime thousands of
international visitors come and
stay a minimum of seven nights,
it contributes significantly to the
local and regional economy.
“Christchurch is open and
ready to welcome visitors and
I’m sure the local business
community will agree that we
have so many amazing sights,
services and experiences to share
with our visitors.”
The event is expected to be one
of the largest Christchurch has
ever hosted.
Where did the Golden Oldies
originate?
The Golden Oldies movement
began in 1979 with rugby. It
was set up to keep older people
playing sport and enjoying the
social aspect of it.
From there, more codes were
added, but rugby remains the
most popular with more than
120 teams registered for next
month’s event.
Normally, Golden Oldies’
tournaments for each sport are
held in different international
cities every two years – so
Christchurch is the first, and
possibly last city to hold all 10
sports in the same month.
•Turn to page 10
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