Australian and Asia Pacific Masters Games sign Memorandum of Understanding

February 12, 2023

The Australian Masters Games has, for the first time in its 36-year history, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Asia Pacific Masters Games, aimed at bringing international athletes together in Korea and Australia.

Signed in Sydney by Confederation of Australian Sport Chief Executive, Rob Bradley and the Secretary General of the Asia Pacific Masters Games, Lee Kang Oh, the MOU brings both countries together to promote the sporting endeavours of our community, no matter how old, how fit or how fast.

The Asia Pacific Masters Games are held every four years, with the second edition to take place in Korea from 12^th – 20^th May 2023. To be held in Adelaide for the eighth time since the Games’ inception, the Australian Masters Games is set to welcome more than 10,000 competitors from across Australia and around the world from 7^th – 14^th October.

Both countries will work together to promote their competitions and to encourage the spirit of the games across two regions, along with co-promotion of both events through websites, newsletters and social media, and exchanging games information. The MOU will also provide the opportunity for Australian Masters Games staff to attend the Asia Pacific Masters Games in their Observation Program.

Bradley said while different countries within the Masters Games network supported each other, this was the first time they had agreed to work so closely together and noted “we’ve always worked collaboratively with our partner organisations and believe in the great opportunities that arise, and the enjoyment of competition for all, no matter what age.

“One of the great things about Masters Games is that there are no qualification standards, anyone who would like to compete, anywhere, is welcome to, whether that be in Australia, Korea, New Zealand or Taipei, at the next World Masters Games in 2025.”

Kang Oh welcomed the signing of the MOU and said his organisation was “thankful to AMG for their openness to partner with us.

“The MOU will boost sports and cultural exchanges between the two nations, which is expected to increase understanding and participation in the Masters Games between Australia and South Korea.

“The Australian Masters Games is a sports-for-all event that boasts 36 years of tradition and history, and we intend to learn from the AMG as a role model to maintain sustainability and build an ongoing legacy of the Asia-Pacific Masters Games 2023 Jeonbuk Korea. As a result, it is believed that mutual exchange between two nations will bring much fruit from this partnership.”

Kang Oh advised the Asia Pacific Masters Games would welcome any Australians wanting to compete, and he expected many Koreans would travel to Adelaide in October.

South Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said the new agreement would help raise the profile of the event in Adelaide this October.

“Having this event reach into international markets in a way it hasn’t in its 36-year history is a huge win for our state,” Minister Bettison said.

“With several months until the Australian Masters Games is held in Adelaide, this is wonderful news for our city and means more people will have their eyes – and minds – on South Australia.”

The Australian Masters Games is supported by the South Australian Government through the South Australian Tourism Commission.

Australian Masters Games General Manager, Jane Woodlands-Thompson, said the MOU would strengthen ties between many sporting countries and added “we are expecting more than 10,000 competitors to compete in the Australian Masters Games, and if we can broaden the range of competitors to not just being from Australia, New Zealand and our Pacific Island neighbours to include Korea and South East Asia, it would be amazing.

“And it works both ways – we would love our athletes to head over to Korea to take part. Australians love to travel, and having an international sporting event to take part in is a great excuse to see the world, stay fit and meet like-minded sporty people.”

Australian Masters Games background

The Australian Masters Games is a week-long festival of sport that brings together the 30 and over community to enjoy an extensive sporting and social program in an exciting holiday destination.
To be held in Adelaide from 7th – 14th October 2023, the Games will feature around 50 sports, ranging from basketball to dragon boat to lawn bowls and tennis.
The Australian Masters Games will also comprise an extensive social program, including opening and closing ceremonies and opportunities to explore Adelaide and South Australia.
Approximately 10,000 competitors, their friends and supporters are expected to take part.

Further information at australianmastersgames.com/

14th November 2022 - Successful Pan Pacific Masters Games to be trialled as annual event for Gold Coast

24th October 2022 - Canberra announced as host for the Australian Masters Games in 2025

24th May 2022 - Record numbers anticipated for 2023 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games

22nd April 2022 - Australian Masters Games mark return of national mass participation events to Western Australian venues

4th November 2021 - Alice Springs Masters Games postponed until 2023

6th September 2021 - Lockdown sees cancellation of ARV and AFIC conferences along with HSBC Sydney Sevens and Australian Masters Games

3rd August 2021 - Lismore Workers Masters Games postponed due to COVID safety concerns

25th May 2021 - Great Barrier Reef Masters Games attracts record participation

18th January 2021 - South Australia secures rights to host 2023 Australian Masters Games

9th October 2020 - Australian Masters Games mark one-year-to-go milestone

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.