Former Henderson Senior Games opens sports to those 18 or older

Seniors won’t be the only ones taking part in an athletic competition that has been put on annually by the city of Henderson for more than a decade.

Participants 18 or older can now compete at the event, formerly called the Henderson Senior Games and now dubbed the Henderson Games. Competitions are planned April 1-30 at a variety of Henderson locations, including recreation centers, parks and schools, with sports including table tennis, traditional tennis, swimming, track and field, pickleball and volleyball. Awards will be presented following each event, and games are set to be played in age divisions if registration numbers allow.

James DiNicola, recreation services supervisor for the city, said the age range was expanded to 18 or older in order to bridge the gap between generations and bring them together in a family-oriented event featuring friendly competitions. Raising revenue was another goal, DiNicola added.

“There is still the senior component to it, but the event itself has opened up,” he said, adding that the city is partnering with the Nevada Senior Games to help put on the event.

The Nevada Senior Games works to promote healthy and active lifestyles for seniors.

The city also has been noticing an increasing number of younger participants at city-sponsored sports events, such as pickleball tournaments and volleyball competitions, said Kathy Blaha, city public information officer.

In addition, the Henderson Games gives the city a chance to showcase its activities and amenities, Blaha said.

Locations for athletic events are the Heritage Park Aquatic Complex, 310 S. Racetrack Road, for the swimming events, a new addition this year; the Whitney Mesa Tennis Complex, 1661 Galleria Drive, for pickleball; Green Valley High School, 460 N. Arroyo Grande Blvd., for track and field; the Valley View Recreation Center, 500 Harris St., for table tennis; and the Whitney Mesa Tennis Complex for tennis. Volleyball locations are set to be determined by the number of teams registered.

Sixteen teams have signed up so far for the games, Blaha said. At last year’s senior games, there were 50 teams, she said.

Entry fees for this year’s event are due by March 25 and are $15 for Henderson residents, $17.25 for other Clark County residents and $18.75 for those who live elsewhere. The fee includes a commemorative T-shirt. Participants also must pay for each athletic event, which cost from $3 to $5 for singles, doubles and mixed doubles, with the exception of volleyball, which costs $180 per women’s or men’s team or $150 per coed team. Each team must have between six and eight members.

Registration packets are available at tinyurl.com/hendersongames and at all city recreation centers.

For more information, call the Downtown Recreation Center at 702-267-4040.

To reach Henderson View reporter Cassandra Keenan, email ckeenan@viewnews.com or call 702-383-0278. Find her on Twitter: @CassandraKNews.