2017 VSG Athlete's Party

Virginia Senior Games: What are they?

by Nancy Turnage

Member Services Coordinator

VRPS Central Office

This is an update on a blogpost from days past - about 845 days past, actually.

In October, 2014, I was working on results from my 2nd Virginia Senior Games.  Now, in February, 2017, we're working on registration, coordinating, and all the other tasks that go into producing a great event.  It seems that the Virginia Senior Games are still doing their thing - making people happy, encouraging activity, and continually proving that "you're only as old as you feel".

A few weeks ago, I returned from the 2017 National Senior Games Conference.  There were representatives from most states, and we learned much about what's happening outside our own Games.  For example, North Dakota is embarking on their first games ever this year.  Massachusetts is a proponent of SAFE testing for athletes (Senior Athlete Fitness Exam), and Florida holds its games in December - to accommodate, among others, those athletes who did not qualify for National Senior Games earlier in the year and want one last go.  We discussed registration and results and marketing and funding.  We shared sponsorship ideas and terminology and successes and failures.  And, mostly, we marveled at the great opportunity that the Senior Games provides for communities all over the country.

So, please enjoy the story below.  Because it's a story that's worth telling, and sharing.



Virginians, like the rest of America, are riding the age wave:

• Roughly 10,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65 today, and this will continue every day through 2030 (Pew Research Center).
• An American turns 50 every 7 seconds – that’s more than 12,500 people every day (US Census).
• The senior age group is now, for the first time, the largest in terms of size and percent of the population in the U.S. By 2015, those aged 50 and older will represent 45 percent of the U.S. population (AARP).

The Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) is a private, non-profit professional organization, founded in 1953. Its purpose is to unite all professionals, students, and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation, parks, and other leisure services in the Commonwealth of Virginia. VRPS is affiliated with the National Recreation and Park Association.

In keeping with its mission to promote parks and recreation to the benefit of Virginians, VRPS produces the Virginia Senior Games (VSG), an annual athletic event offering competition in over 21 sports over the course of 4 days for participants aged 50 and older. The first Virginia Senior Games were held in 1978 in Richmond and presented contests in 14 sports. The Games move around the state and are typically hosted in the same locality for four years before moving on. Athletes today can compete in upwards of 21 sports, ranging from Archery to Volleyball and most everything in between. Recent, popular additions include Pickleball, Cycling, and Disc Golf.

The Virginia Senior Games is a qualifying competition for the National Senior Games, which take place every other year. VSG is also an open event, so that no scores or times are required for entry. Athletes can compete in multiple sports, and out-of-state sportspersons are welcome. Competition adheres to National Senior Games rules, and medals are awarded in each age category (5-year increments). Additionally, athletes and their guests are treated to an annual Athletes’ Party and Wellness Fair, based on a new festive theme each year and offering activities, musical entertainment, and snacks, all in keeping with a showcase for services and resources for healthy lifestyles in Virginia.

Clearly, the benefits to VSG athletes are monumental – the physical demands of competition encourage participants to train year-round, in many cases. This preparation also lends itself both to greater daily structure and socializing. And, needless to say, winning, losing, and teamwork are their own reward. However, one might wonder if the true winners are the volunteers and spectators.

• To witness a 101-year-young swimmer complete in both 50m and 100m freestyle swimming races, and thereby set World Records, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
• To watch a 77-year-young Vietnam War veteran tossing horseshoes and bowling balls from his wheelchair, where he has sat since 1963 as the only survivor of his combat helicopter flight, is a privilege.
• To meet a 50-something-year-young road racer who competes wearing a fluffy pink tutu is a lesson in what matters.

For some, especially the women, VSG is the first time in their lives that they have the opportunity to learn and experience the value of sport competition. Every athlete has a story – and it begins back home, during the course of their training and their decision to compete in the Virginia Senior Games. For example, that 101-year old swimmer drove herself to the pool every morning at 5am to train. That “horseshoer” was an advocate for ADA and spent most of his life working with autistic individuals. The road racer … well she’s simply a knockout ….

Virginia Senior Games fun facts:

• 2017 is the 39th year of the Virginia Senior Games.
• Competition is offered in: Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Billiards, Bowling, Canasta, Cycling, Disc Golf, Golf, Horseshoes, Mini Golf, Pickleball, Pinochle, Racquetball, Road Race, Shuffleboard, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.
• Athletes must be 50 on or before December 31 of the competition year in order to participate.
• Team competition is offered in both Basketball and Volleyball.
• Partners and teams compete in the age group of the youngest participant.
• Registration for the games begins at the beginning of the year, and the games take place mid-May.
• Henrico County Recreation and Parks will be hosting the 2017 games.
• To learn more about Virginia Senior Games, visit www.virginiaseniorgames.org
• To enjoy photos and more, visit www.facebook.com/Virginia.Senior.Games

In memory of Samuel “Doc” Morton (September 20, 1937 – July 8, 2014) and all the others who will not return to the Games in 2017. Thank you for your years of exemplary athletic dedication and competition.

Visit the Virginia Senior Games webpage
Interested in becoming a sponsor or Wellness Expo exhibitor?
See all the fun on Facebook!
Enjoy the latest Athlete E-Blast
View the 2017 Registration Brochure

2014 VRPS Members in the Community: Aaron Reidmiller

by Aaron Reidmiller, CPRP, Henrico County Recreation and Parks and Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office

LOOK AT WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN YOUR COMMUNITY!

Aaron Reidmiller, CPRP, is a Recreation Supervisor for Henrico County Recreation and Parks who has been actively involved with VRPS for almost six years.  He is a 2012 VRPS Outstanding New Professional Winner, the current Central Service Area Chair, and both the Central District Liaison and a Member at Large for the Senior Resource Group.

Aaron also stays active in his community "off the job".  I happened to sight Aaron last winter while he was leaving a Central Virginia Soccer Referee Association certification course in Richmond and have since enjoyed some ref-based conversations with him, including this one:

How long have you been involved in refereeing?  

I started refereeing with Central Virginia Soccer Referee Association and Old Dominion Soccer Referee Service in February of 2011.  I was actually recovering from some very serious health issues that had kept me on the sidelines for most of 2009 and 2010.  I have played soccer my entire life, but I was not cleared to play any contact sports during the recovery period (and didn’t know if I would ever be able to play again).  I missed the sport very much and decided that officiating would be the best way to stay involved.

Can you provide some background regarding your current status with CVSRA? 

Currently, I am a Grade 8 U.S. Soccer Referee.  This grading system has nothing to do with school level grades and basically means that I am qualified to officiate any level youth match all the way up to competitive adult league matches.  This is the most common certification level for referees.  As you rise in the rankings, there are fewer and fewer because of the strict requirements.  I don’t have any immediate plans to upgrade to a Grade 7 referee simply because of the lack of time in my schedule.

During what seasons do you referee, and how far do you travel? 

Typically I ref the spring, summer, and fall seasons.  I don't do any winter indoor soccer reffing because I play indoor soccer myself and trying to do both can be challenging.  Spring 2014 will be the first season I haven't reffed in the last three years because I will be teaching a class at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.  At the height of the spring season, I am usually refereeing 8-12 games per week (4-6 high school matches, 4-6 weekend matches).  Weekend matches could be youth or adult matches.  On occasion, I will officiate adult matches during the week.  The workload during the fall decreases because of the fewer school matches.  I have travelled as far west as Amelia to officiate high school matches and as far east as Williamsburg to officiate travel league games.  

What was your greatest concern or doubt, and how has it turned out?  What steps have you taken as a result?

I think I share the same fear that most referees feel before any competitive match:  making a bad call that has a direct impact on the outcome of the game.  I haven’t experienced a situation like this in my four seasons of officiating, but that fear still lurks in the back of my mind before each match.

If you could choose one thing to happen for the organization in the future, what would it be?

I would like to see the organization continue to grow as the sport continues to grow.  Soccer's popularity has exploded over the last 20 years, and I hope it will continue to grow well into the future.

How do you feel your efforts in refereeing has strengthened you as an individual, a professional, and a VRPS member?

I feel the benefits of officiating are endless. I have learned a great deal about leadership and communication by refereeing games.  As an official, you are in total control, which means your decisions will ultimately affect everyone.  Also, you have to learn how to communicate with a whistle and hand motions, which can be very difficult to do effectively and consistently.  Officiating is something that young people can do to strengthen their leadership skills and build their self confidence.

What was your funniest moment or experience thus far?

My funniest moment was during a very competitive scholastic match at Cosby High School.  I was side-stepping down the field with the play and tripped on a sprinkler head indention.  I fell to the ground in the middle of the action and all of the fans and players got a good laugh.  All I could do was smile, jump to my feet, and continue on with the game.

Good advice for life too ....