Local chapter of the OSGA looking for more representatives at 55-Plus games

Making new friends, being active, and occasionally winning a medal or two are just a few of the reasons to get involved in Ontario Senior Games Association events.

With the OSGA 55-plus Winter Games taking place in Orillia from February 4 to 6, 2024, qualifying events in a variety of sports will be held ahead of the games with the deadline to register being December 1, 2023.

Events at the upcoming Games will include Alpine and Nordic Skiing, Badminton, Curling, Duplicate Bridge, Hockey, Skating, Table Tennis, Ten Pin Bowling, and Volleyball.

In the past couple of years, representatives for District 11 (Muskoka-Haliburton) have been hard to come by – particularly on the Muskoka side of things.

It’s why District coordinators and athletes like Nik Poljanski have been busy recruiting anywhere and everywhere they can . . . they want to see more people from their communities involved.

Poljanski, Mary Johnson, and Karen Litchfield were recently operating a booth to spread the word about the 55-Plus Games during October’s Healthy Living Expo at the Active Living Centre in Huntsville.

“It’s a great way to be as active as you want while getting a chance to compete against other people in your age demographic,” explains Poljanski, who enjoys a variety of sports. “It’s also a social thing too where you meet and get to know new people as well as spend more time with people you already know, while having fun playing a game you enjoy.”

Over the years, Muskoka-Haliburton have also been a big part of the 55-Plus Games as the District has hosted both the Winter and Summer events, the last one being the 2019 Games at locations in Huntsville, Bracebridge, Lake of Bays and Armour.

Though participation was once quite robust (47 District-11 athletes participated in 2019), like most things, COVID put a damper on things and now it’s time to rejuvenate the numbers of athletes.

“We really want to see more people getting involved,” says Poljanski. “All the people who have come out and done the District 11 events, or even represented at the provincials, have had a wonderful time and are coming back to do it again.”

This past summer, Poljanski took part in 55-Plus Summer Games qualifying for both tennis and golf and predicted walking (which is where the competitor predicts how long it will take to complete a set number of laps). He took silver in tennis, gold in predicted walking, and silver in golf.

Though he qualified in multiple sports, once it’s time for the provincial event, Poljanski could only choose one. He decided on golf and, despite not putting his best, had a fantastic time.

“It seems I forgot to how to putt,” he says with a laugh. “I would be on the green in regulation and then it would take me four more strokes to get in the hole.”

The biggest impression made on Poljanski was the professionalism of the event. Two rounds of golf with a cart, and treated like a PGA pro throughout – including attendants on hand to port the clubs in and out of vehicles, snacks pre-loaded in the carts, a meal each day, and more.

“It was all very well organized,” he recalls. “Not just the golf event, but all the events.”

There is no time like the present to get involved and there is still time to register for the Winter Games in February … visit https://www.orillia.ca/en/visiting/register.aspx

But, if that feels too soon, then get yourself signed up for the next summer events with District 11. Learn more or get involved with the Muskoka/Haliburton crew at: https://district11.osga55plus.ca/

Summer events include bocce, contract bridge, cycling, darts, pickleball, swimming, tennis and many more. Though there are some membership costs, it’s very affordable as it’s only $25 with $15 supporting the OSGA and $10 to your home District.