Mick Gray (55), Trevor Perren (53) and Tom Gray (57) celebrated 10 years at the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games football competition
Sunday 6 November 2016
By Angela Bacic
As the first day of football competition kicked-off at the Nerang Soccer Club, brothers Mick (55) and Tom Gray (57) alongside their best friend and teammate, Trevor Perren (53) celebrated 10 years at the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games (JPPMG).
“It is good to have been playing the last 20 years with Tom. It has been really enjoyable and (playing with) Trevor too, who is like our brother,” Mick said.
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland trio has been playing football together for the last 20 years, and has been participating in multiple masters games.
They have enjoyed participating at the JPPMG since its inception in 1998 and the mateship of the event has kept them coming back.
“I wouldn’t have come down if I didn’t have the camaraderie with these guys and it makes it all worthwhile,” Tom said.
They originally played with the Maleny Rangers on the Sunshine Coast and played for a number of teams before joining forces with the Sunshine Coast Oldies.
Their mission during the event is not about being on the podium but taking time out from their family and working lives to enjoy themselves.
“I don’t think we have ever come here with the aim of winning,” Tom said.
“We are here just to play sport,” Mick said.
“It’s about being with mates for the whole week, and we’ve been doing that for 20 years so that’s pretty good.”
The Sunshine Coast Oldies 55+ finished their first day of competition with a 1-1 draw against Riff Raff FC Adelaide.
The 10th biennial Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games is being held 5 – 13 November 2016 on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
The event showcases competition in 43 sports and is hosting 13,000 participants from Queensland, interstate and overseas.
