County resident Sharon Ferris said she found a new lease on life after deciding to join the Ontario Summer Games as an athlete back in 2015.
She was familiar with the annual event through her late husband, Frank, who competed across several sports for more than two decades. After years as a cheerleader in the stands, Ferris has become a key presence in walking and golf competition – locally here in the Highlands and on the provincial and national scene.
“I just love these games, they’re always a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, expand your social circle and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle,” Ferris said.
The games, open to anyone age 55 and older across Ontario, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and Ferris said there are lots of opportunities for Highlanders to get involved.
For those who enjoy more of a slow-pace, there’s euchre, bid euchre, cribbage, darts, five-pin bowling and shuffleboard. For more active seniors, there’s golf, pickleball, tennis and walking. Registration opened April 8, with some events getting underway this week.
Haliburton County falls within the Ontario Senior Games Association’s (OSGA) district 11, with winners from local competition having the chance to compete provincially and nationally every other year.
Ferris said the next chance for upper-level competition is 2027, but getting involved now gives athletes a year to get up to speed.
“We have people who qualify for provincials and nationals every time they’re open – I myself have been to every provincial competition for the past 11 years and have been to three national events, in Kamloops, B.C., Saint John, New Brunswick and Quebec,” Ferris said.
The games have helped Ferris establish and build relationships with like-minded people across the country, while she’s used prior national events to serve as a springboard for bigger getaways.
“When we went out to Saint John, we carried on and toured all through Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, so it’s a great way to see other parts of the country,” she said.
To participate, people need an active OSGA membership, available online for $15, and then pay an additional $10 to enter district competition. One buy-in grants access to all senior games events, Ferris confirmed. Though there are additional fees for sports like golf, to cover round fees.
District 11 usually attracts more than 100 competitors, Ferris said. Numbers used to be higher pre-COVID, but the County resident said OSGA members are actively trying to boost interest.
While there’s a huge social element to the events, and chances to work together as a team, Ferris said she really enjoys the individual competitiveness of walking. There are two distances used, either oneand-a-half kilometres or a three-kilometre route, with groups for those age 55-69 and 70-plus.
“It’s prediction walking, so people have to guess how long it’s going to take them to walk their route. And you have to do it twice,” Ferris said. “I’ve walked with people before who have been a second or two off. There’s a lot of preparation involved. I practice regularly – we’re in it to win it.”
Anyone interested in playing must register at least 24 hours before their chosen event. For more information, visit district11. osga55plus.ca or contact Jennifer Coates at 705-749-3787 or jennifercoates148@gmail. com.
Five-pin bowling May 26, 1 p.m. at Minden Fast Lane Bowling
Bid euchre: closed
Cribbage May 25, 1 p.m. at Gravenhurst Seniors Centre May 28, 1 p.m. at Kinmount Legion.
Darts May 16, 10 a.m. at Gravenhurst Seniors Centre
Euchre May 11, 1 p.m. at Minden Curling Club May 14, 1 p.m. at Gravenhurst Seniors Centre
Golf June 3, 8:30 a.m. at Blairhampton Golf Course in Minden
Pickleball June 9, 9 a.m. at S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena in Minden
Shuffleboard June 4, 10 a.m. at Gravenhurst Seniors Centre
Tennis June 16, 8 a.m. at Kerr Park in Bracebridge
Walking May 29, 9 a.m. at Head Lake Park in Haliburton
