Peter Share says he’s learnt over the years that winning isn’t everything — but that won’t stop the 77-year-old from giving it everything he’s got when he takes on his latest sporting challenge next month.
The Woodend local will join more than 740 athletes, volunteers and spectators in their 50s to 80s going head-to-head at the third annual GemLife Games on the Sunshine Coast, including a 31-strong contingent from the Macedon Ranges.
The former Victorian Masters road cycling champion, and Essendon Athletic Club captain and distance runner, will compete in ten-pin bowling, with his wife Marilyn volunteering at the Games.
The couple will be joined by fellow GemLife Woodend residents Emanual and Christine Randich, who are competing in eight-ball pool, and table tennis and swimming respectively.
Designed for older athletes, whether lifelong competitors, weekend warriors or those new to their sport, the GemLife Games brings together over-50s from across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria for two days of competition on September 11 and 12 at GemLife Palmwoods.
An initiative of over-50s lifestyle developer GemLife, the inter-resort event champions fitness, fun and friendship among older Australians, with eight sports to be contested including lawn bowls, pickleball, ten-pin bowling, tennis, table tennis, eight-ball pool, virtual golf and swimming.
As an ex-competitive sportsperson, Peter said he always looked for the winning edge, although hadn’t ten-pin bowled for close to 60 years before moving to GemLife Woodend three years ago.
“I like the challenge of competing, and usually like to win, although winning isn’t everything — I’ve learnt that over the years,” he laughed.
“I’ve always been competitive in different sports but hadn’t done ten-pin until I moved here, not since my first date with my wife in the late 1960s.
“I’ve become part of a group that plays every Wednesday night, and really enjoy it, and the friendship and camaraderie that comes with it. I think we’ll go pretty well, as we have a good team and are fairly consistent, which is what you need — consistency and a bit of luck.
“We’re also looking forward to meeting different people and keeping active. As you get older, you have to keep moving, that’s the secret.”
Emanuel said he’d never been involved in an event like the Games before and was looking forward to taking part.
“I used to play pool when I was a kid. I’m 66 now and hadn’t touched it for over 40 years or so until I moved to GemLife Woodend six months ago,” he said.
“Our team meets every Wednesday and Friday for an hour game. It’s like any sport, the more you practice the better you get, and we’re looking forward to bringing the trophy back home.
“I’m also looking forward to the social element of meeting people and getting to know new friends.”
