By Carol Doughty
From Tuesday, August 9- Thursday, August 11, 2016, the Ontario 55 + Games were held in the Midland, Ontario, area on the shores of Georgian Bay. With the joint efforts of Midland, the Township of Tiny, the Township of Tey, the Town of Penetanguishene, Games Ontario, and the Ontario Senior Games Association, the host Organizing Committee, and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, the Games were a great success!
This event is a bi-annual tournament; participants must qualify first by competing and winning in their District Games.
What are some facts and stats about these very popular Games?
* took 2 + years of planning
* Organizing Committee = 40 + people
* 500 volunteers
* 23 events, including 2 age groupings for pickelball: 55-64 years of age and 65+ years of age men’s, ladies’, and mixed
* 1300 competitors, including approx. 144 pickleballers
* 19 venues, using 3 venues for pickleball, including 1 non air-conditioned gym and 2 gyms for pickleball with very short serving areas
* 16 accommodations in Midland, Orillia, and Barrie
* shuttle buses from all accommodations to and from the venues with very clear, large signs
* meals provided by 3 catering companies which were served at either the venues or accommodations: 3 dinners, 2 lunches, and 2 breakfasts, including providing meals for dietary needs
* boat cruises, shuttles to the Rama Casino
* opening and closing ceremonies
* very good organization of the pickleball matches:
1st Round Robin = 2 pools per age group (5 or 6 teams per age pool)
-played 2 games to 11 points, win by 2, cap at 13
2nd Crossover Qualifying Rounds for top 4 teams in each pool
2/3 games to 11 points, win by 2, cap at 13
plus
5th and 6th placed teams playing Consolation Tournament
2/3 games to 11 points, win by 2, cap at 13
3rd Medal Rounds for top 4 teams of the Crossover Qualifying Rounds:
2/3 games to 11 points, win by 2, cap at 13.
Therefore, there were lots of games; the majority of the players played 10- 14 games.
During the pickleball competitions, despite the intense heat in the 6 court gym in St. Theresa’s High School during the 2 days because of it being a non- air-conditioned gym and in the single gym for 1/2 day in that same school, and the very short serving areas in both gyms in that school, there was strong competition and lots of laughter as pickleballers do what they do best: play their favourite sport, socialize, and have fun.
The Gold medalists for all the events are eligible to enter the Canada 55+ Games in 2018.
The next Ontario 55+ Games will be held in August 2018 in Mississauga. The pickleballers have already talked to players from Mississauga about the need for air-conditioned facilities with adequate space behind the courts to serve and and safely receive lob shots and deep drives to the back lines for all pickelballers.
To see the results of the Ontario 55+ Games, go to their website.
Congrats to all the people involved in hosting the 2016 Ontario 55+ Games. We thank you for providing the opportunity to meet new friends, greet “old” friends, and play our favourite sports/games.
