(L – R) JPPMG16 ambassadors Geoff Masters, Karla Gilbert OAM, Nikki Hudson OAM, Glynis Nunn-Cearns OAM, Benita Willis and Pat Carroll
Gold Coast sporting icon Karla Gilbert has joined a star-studded line-up of ambassadors for the 10th biennial Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games (JPPMG), to be held on the Gold Coast from 5 to 13 November.
The champion ironwoman dominated the surf from 1993 to 2003 and is rapt to be part of the JPPMG, which is expected to attract about 13,000 participants.
“I still love sport and the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games highlights the fact that sport can always be a part of your life. At these games you can compete as an individual, as part of a team and across so many different sports as well,” Karla said.
“The social aspect is also very important and a big drawcard for the games.”
Karla said she would be taking a very close interest in her newest sporting passion, stand up paddle boarding (SUP), which is debuting at these games.
“I really love it (SUP) and will be having a bit of a paddle around and handing out any tips if people want them,” she said.
Karla joins a list of sporting greats as 2016 Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games ambassadors including: 2000 Sydney Olympic Games gold medallist, Hockeyroos captain Nikki Hudson OAM; 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games heptathlon gold medallist Glynis Nunn-Cearns OAM; Wimbledon, Australian Open and US Open doubles winner Geoff Masters; Australian female marathon record holder Benita Willis; three-time Brisbane Broncos NRL premiership winner Petero Civoniceva; and 1990 Auckland, 1994 Victoria and 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games representative Pat Carroll.
Events Management Queensland CEO Cameron Hart welcomes ambassador Karla Gilbert to the JPPMG at the official launch
Events Management Queensland CEO Cameron Hart described Karla as a ‘gold medal addition’ to the 2016 Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games ambassadors ranks.
“With two world ironwoman titles, three Aussie ironwoman titles and seven Uncle Tobys and Nutri-Grain ironwoman series crowns, Karla is widely regarded as our greatest female surf lifesaver,” Mr Hart said.
“She is also a proud, born and bred Gold Coaster and already a long-time ambassador for this city. She is a great fit for the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games because, like all 13,000 of our participants, she still loves being involved in sport.
“Karla will be at some of the stand up paddle boarding events, which is one of three new sports – along with table tennis and equestrian – show jumping – which have been added to the masters games this year.”
Events Management Queensland Chairman Kerry Watson welcomes ambassadors, sponsors and the media to the official launch of the JPPMG16
Mr Hart said all indicators pointed to a very successful 10th edition of the games.
“Entry numbers remain very strong and this year we will have a record number of 44 sports,” he said.
“A lot has changed since those first games in 1998. Back then there were 9,383 competitors across 27 sports.
“Now we can proudly boast to be the world’s biggest biennial masters games, with this event expected to bring a $19million sports tourism windfall to Queensland.
“Competitors will be coming from each state and territory of Australia, as well as visitors from more than 20 overseas countries for the 10 days of competition.
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“Adding to the atmosphere for competitors is the fact that they will be using some of the venues that have only recently been unveiled for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, including the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and Coomera Indoor Sports Centre.”
A highlight of every Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games has been the entertainment package, which runs in tandem with the games. This year’s line-up, hosted by Jupiters Gold Coast and the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, includes former members of Daddy Cool, Rose Tattoo and some 80s music legends.
The Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland and is promoted as part of the It’s Live! in Queensland marketing platform.
(L – R) JPPMG16 ambassadors Geoff Masters, Karla Gilbert OAM, Glynis Nunn-Cearns OAM, Nikki Hudson OAM, Benita Willis and Pat Carroll celebrate the official launch of JPPMG16 at Jupiters Gold Coast’s Garden Bar & Kitchen
