WOODBRIDGE– Flanked by Senior Olympians and Olympic volunteers, Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac and the New Jersey Senior Olympic Committee announced that the township will again host the New Jersey Senior Olympics on Sept. 11, 12 and 13.
In announcing details of the upcoming New Jersey Senior Olympic games from the Woodbridge Community Center and YMCA – the central headquarters and main sporting venue for the upcoming senior competition – McCormac said that the senior games track the goals of the “Mayor’s Wellness Campaign” which encourages township residents, regardless of age, to engage in a healthy and fit lifestyle.
“I am extremely proud that Woodbridge Township has again been selected – for the third consecutive year – to host the annual New Jersey Senior Olympic games,” McCormac said. “Woodbridge Township and the State of New Jersey are home to a significant and growing senior population which is more-and-more engaged in an active and physically fit lifestyle. The New Jersey Senior Olympics embodies today’s senior athlete by featuring sporting events geared to senior-level competition. And, even before competition gets underway, every senior athlete is a winner just by staying in shape and participating in a routine physical fitness regimen. I am encouraging senior athletes from across the state to sign-up and participate in this year’s games.”
Michael Garamella, executive director of the New Jersey Senior Olympic Committee, said that the 2009 Senior Olympic games feature 16 sporting events and competitions where senior athletes 50 years of age and older – male and female – compete for the gold, silver and bronze in various age categories ranging from: 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80-84; 85-89; and 90+.
The olympic games include sporting competition in archery, basketball (foul shooting/accuracy and ‘3 on 3’), billiards, bocce, bowling, cycling, darts, fencing, golf, horseshoes, racquetball, team softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis and track & field events. The New Jersey Senior Olympics is part of the National Senior Games Association which sponsors alternate year national Senior Olympic games at venues across the country.
The “Opening Ceremonies” for the 2009 Senior Olympic games will take place on Saturday, Sept 12 at 10 a.m. outside the Woodbridge Community Center. The ceremonies will highlight the most “senior” of New Jersey’s Senior Olympians, including Emma “Warhorse” Hendrickson, a 100 year-old bowler from Morris Plains; Claire Butler, a 93-year-old archer from Mountainside, and Russell Lisi, a 92-year-old billiards player from Woodbridge. Olympic officials will detail the nature of the games and competition, present the Senior Olympic torch and flame, and introduce Olympians competing in each sport.
Senior athletes must register to compete in the various sporting events, games and competitions. To register or to obtain more information about the 2009 New Jersey Senior Olympic games, contact the New Jersey Senior Olympics at 973-618-1111 or visit www.njso.us or www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.
I think Senior Olympics is a great idea. Just because I’m old doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy good old-fashioned competition. I feel like my granddaughter in college, embarking on new adventures. I just moved into a senior housing community and I met a great bunch of friends. I can’t wait to look into this, so we can all do it together.