Over 1000 athletes are expecting to convene in Brandon this summer for the 2024 Manitoba 55+ Games to compete in a wealth of activities; from brain-games to sports, with different levels of athleticism involved.

The event is spearheaded by Brandon First in partnership with Active Aging Manitoba.

"The games provide a little bit of something for everyone coming up in June," shares Brandon First Executive Director, Jennifer Watson. 

Needless to say, June 18-20th will be fun times in Brandon at the 55+ Games, this being the second time they've been held in Brandon (the last time was in 2016).

The various competitions take place at different venues across the wheat city including the Riverbank Discovery Centre, T-birds Bowling Alley, Wheat City Golf Course, Brandon's Seniors for Seniors, the Lawn Bowling Club, Riverview Curling Club, the Sportsplex, the Brandon Legion, the A.N.A.F, Brandon University Healthy Living Centre and the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex.

Please listen to more on the events and their venues below with Jennifer Watson.

"In the last few years, it's been just under a thousand competitors, but we are anticipating more than that for this year's Games for a couple of reasons," explains Watson. "One is that it is in Brandon and so we're able to offer so many different events at so many different places, but as well it's the qualifying year for the Canadian National 55+ Games. So, a lot of folks will be coming out to compete to earn their spot at the nationals in Quebec this year!"

As the Brandon Games are so spread out across the city, many volunteers are needed in each of the competition categories and in a variety of roles in the logistics of running the games.

"It's so wonderful to see it coming back to Brandon," adds Watson. "It's a wonderful event and encourages activities right into folks' later years, and really accommodates different levels of competition, from brain games to cards and right up to pickle ball which is a huge component of it and is so interesting to watch!  It's a little bit of everything for everyone!"

Brandon First will be hosting a table at the United Way's Volunteer Fair this weekend, Saturday, April 20th at the Shoppers Mall in Brandon so those who would like to sign up for competition and/or for volunteers, you can do it there, or you can register online HERE!

Registration deadline for competitors is May20th.  Volunteers can register right up to the start of the Games June 18th.

The Canadian Nationals will take place in Quebec City in August.

To volunteer please reach out to the committee at:  brandon.mb.55games@gmail.com

For more information visit their website!

55+ GAMES | Active Aging in Manitoba (activeagingmb.ca)