Sport
28 August, 2025
Age is just a number in sporting showdown
Burpengary’s Geoff and Narelle Wakely, along with Bribie Island’s Peter and Judy Dinka, are part of a 112-strong group of Moreton Bay athletes, volunteers, and spectators proving age is just a number at the third annual GemLife Games on the Sunshine Coast.
The two-day competition, on September 11 and 12 at GemLife Palmwoods, will see more than 740 over-50s from Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria competing. The inter-resort event, an initiative of lifestyle developer GemLife, promotes fitness, fun, and friendship among older Australians and welcomes lifelong competitors, weekend warriors, and newcomers to sport.
Eight events will be contested: lawn bowls, pickleball, ten-pin bowling, tennis, table tennis, eight-ball pool, virtual golf, and swimming.
Geoff, 76, and Narelle, 71, who have recently moved to GemLife Moreton Bay, are competing for the first time in the mixed ten-pin bowling team, each with an impressive average of 155.
“We were probably at our competitive peak a few years ago,” laughed Geoff. “It is our way of life to be sporty and active, and we’re looking forward to the social part of the Games — and the free t-shirt. We enjoy our bowling and pickleball and are in a position where we’re wanting to meet new people.”
Peter, 74, and Judy, 70, residents of GemLife Bribie Island, are competing for the second time. Peter leads the table tennis team, while Judy, Bribie’s coordinator for the Games, will swim the 25-metre freestyle and join the resort’s cheer squad.
“If you win, that’s great, but the focus is on participation and enjoying the event,” said Judy. “It was good fun last year, meeting people from different resorts and forming new friendships. The participation from the team leaders for each sport has been great. They’re all keen to take part, have a friendly rivalry, and have been fabulous at getting their teams ready.”
GemLife Managing Director and Group CEO Adrian Puljich said the Games had become legendary across its communities, with competitor numbers growing each year.
“That’s what it is all about; encouraging over-50s to stay active and healthy, try new things, set new goals, and come together in a fun, supportive environment,” he said. “In the lead-up to the Games, all our facilities, including our lawn bowls greens, pickleball and tennis courts, and swimming pools, are buzzing with residents training for the big day. Some pick up a new sport for the first time just to compete. While lawn bowls remains ever popular, it’s exciting to see newer sports like pickleball among the most hotly contested. It’s also incredibly rewarding to see the new friendships formed — from residents opening their homes to billet athletes travelling for the competition to cheering each other from the sidelines.”
