The Barellan Masters Games attracts hundreds of people each year to take part in up to seven sports across two days. Photo: Barellan Masters Games.
With a population of just under 500 people, Barellan continues to attract hundreds of people each year to its annual sporting event, The Barellan Masters Games.
The games were born following the town’s centenary in 2009.
During the centennial celebrations, many residents believed it was important to hold an annual event to bring people back.
Each year since 2010, barring COVID-19-affected years, the Barellan Masters Games has seen more than 150 participants over the age of 30 and even more tourists visit the small town of just 490 people to take part in a range of sports.
Sixteen years on, the event continue to draw participants from across the state.
Barellan Masters Games committee member Carl Chirgwin said the games brought the town to life and offered people over the age of 30 a chance to enjoy a social yet enjoyable space to play the sports they enjoyed.
“Our motto is, ‘It’s never too late to participate,'” Mr Chirgwin said.
“We’ve got seven sports, and all sports cater for all abilities. This year we’ve got the three and six kilometre walks on the Saturday morning, as well as tennis, both singles and same sex doubles, cattle team sorting and lawn bowls.
“On the Sunday, we have the triathlon that can be done individually or in a team as well as six-a-side cricket, mixed doubles tennis and netball.
“The games really do create this buzz across the town. Everyone knows that on the last week of February, the Barellan Masters Games are on and everyone loves being a part of it!”
Karen Date teamed up with her son Lachlan to take on husband Warwick and veteran Lorraine Maxwell at the mixed doubles tennis in 2025. Photo: Barellan Masters Games.
Mr Chirgwin said the games had continued to go from strength to strength, with more participants and money being injected into the event each year.
“The Barellen Masters Games have generated a lot of money for the town’s economy since 2010,” he said.
“Since 2010, there’s been around $215,000 injected into the games, but in return its produced around $3 million.
“We’ve been able to use that to make sporting facilities, better changerooms, better netball courts, better lighting at the grounds, the Country Women’s Association has better ovens, and even the show society has been able to benefit from it.
“It really has helped support this town over the last decade and a half.”
Mr Chirgwin said people looking to participate could continue to sign up right until the morning of the games on Saturday 28 February and 1 March.
“Every year we expect more and more people; this year were expecting around 180 people to take part,” he said.
“Once people come for the first time, they realise that Barellan really does pack a punch and it’s hard for them not to come back again the following year.
“It’s a great social event that we love having here. If you’re over 30, why not make the drive and enjoy playing the sports you love, whether that’s cricket, tennis or even a bit of bowls.”
The Barellan Masters Games kicks off on Saturday 28 February and wraps up the following day on Sunday 1 March.
To sign up for the games, visit the Barellan Masters Games website here.
