Registration Opens for 23rd Annual Gulf Coast Senior Games

MANATEE COUNTY – Registration has begun for the 23rd Annual Gulf Coast Senior Games, a series of athletic competitions held in Manatee and Sarasota counties from Feb. 21 - 26, 2012.

Each year more than 400 athletes ages 50 and over compete in the Gulf Coast Senior Games. It is one of 19 regional qualifying events across Florida which determine participants in the statewide Senior Games which will be held next December in Polk County.

Sports and competitions include: archery, basketball, bocce, bowling, cribbage, cycling, golf, horseshoes, pickleball, racquetball, a 5K road race, shuffleboard, swimming, table tennis, tennis and track & field.

“We’ll get athletes of all skill levels from the Villages, Fort Myers, all over the state,” said Scott Jalwan, Manatee Parks and Recreation Supervisor and Director of the Senior Games. “People love this event because it gets them to compete, and show off their athletic skills.”

Registration fee is $12 and includes an event T-shirt. There is also a $3 fee for each event an athlete participates in. The top five finishers in each event will advance to the state the Florida Senior Games next year.

Manatee County residents may register by visiting www.mymanatee.org/parks, and clicking on Register Now. Sarasota athletes may register at www.parksonline.scgov.net. Registration must be completed by Feb. 1, 2012. There will be no on-site registration.

For more information on the 23rd Annual Gulf Coast Senior Games, call Jalwan at (941) 742-5932, ext, 6023. For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501.