Wine Country Games announces dates, registration opening

Marrianne McBride, President & CEO of the Council on Aging Services for Seniors is pleased to announce the dates for the 4th Annual Sonoma Wine Country Games - Competitions for athletes 50+. The Games are a healthy aging program that benefits the Council on Aging and inspires all to take an active role in determining the quality of their aging process. “Mark your calendars for May 29 through June 8, 2014 and come compete, cheer or volunteer!” she says.

Registration opens March 1st on-line at www.winecountrygames.com.

Amy Crabb, Development Director, Council on Aging, is excited that the fourth annual 2014 Games will include 20 sports, with the addition of some exciting new events: Badminton, FootGolf, Racquetball, and Bowling. “These new sports add depth to our sport offerings and reach out to existing leagues in Sonoma County. With that base, I know our participant base will continue to grow.” she says.

This year’s theme “Come to Compete, Stay to Play” speaks to the beneficial nature of sports competition, particularly after the age of 50. “You may have a competitive side and appreciate that the Games offer an opportunity to paly against others in your age group; or you may just be in it for the fun.” McBride explains. “In the end, everyone stays to play!”

“We anticipate an attendance of over 1600 for the 2014 Games. Last year over 1,000 athletes participated.” says Ms. Crabb. About half the athletes are from the area and the rest hail from Sacramento, Fresno, the Bay Area and Southern California. Athletes from Australia, Florida and Hawaii have come to compete showing the draw and benefit of the Sonoma Wine Country Games to Sonoma County.

The 2014 Games feature 20 sports: Archery, badminton (NEW), basketball, bocce, bowling (NEW), cycling, FootGolf (NEW), golf, horseshoes, pickleball, racquetball (NEW), men’s & women’s soccer, men’s & women’s softball, square dancing (exhibition), swimming, table tennis, tennis, track & field, volleyball & more.

For more information about the 2014 Sonoma Wine Country Games, please visit www.winecountrygames.com or call 707-525-0143 x121.