Erskine Veterans Charity and Glasgow Caledonian University celebrate the Sporting Senior Games 2024

Erskine Veterans Charity, together with Glasgow Caledonian University, hosted the Sporting Senior Games Awards 2024 to recognise the outstanding sporting achievements of care home residents from across Scotland.

The awards ceremony was held at the Glynhill Hotel in Renfrew and saw over 100 competitors gather to discover who would take home the coveted medals and the prestigious John Bowman Trophy.

The Sporting Senior Games was held at Glasgow Caledonian’s ARC sport and exercise facility on August 24 with help from staff and students. Watch all the action here - https://vimeo.com/1005477219/9a278565bf

The competition featured 23 teams from locations including Glasgow, East Ayrshire, West Lothian, Ayr, Coatbridge, Kirkintilloch, and Bishopton, competing in sports such as basketball, ten-pin bowling, curling, boccia bowls, and javelin.

Teams, made up of residents from care homes, celebrated their participation in the games at the Glynhill as competitors of all ages and abilities came together to celebrate the spirit of friendly rivalry and camaraderie of the Games.

Glasgow Caledonian University’s Professor of Ageing and Health Dawn Skelton, who chairs the joint organising committee, said: “These types of events allow care home residents to take part in fun games competition but with the ultimate aim of increasing their physical activity to improve physical function, health and quality of life.

“Our research within the Ageing Well Research Group at the University confirms the benefits of sitting less and moving more. Each year dozens of healthcare students from the University get to see older people enjoying physical activity rather than just seeing exercise as a rehabilitation tool – vital to open their minds to what older people can achieve, even when they are frailer.”

Special guests Paralympic gold medallist para bowler Pauline Wilson and Paralympic curler Aileen Neilson were on hand to present the medals. However, the highlight of the afternoon was the announcement of the winner of the John Bowman Trophy, named in honour of a former Erskine resident.

Presented by Ian Bowman, son of the late John Bowman, to the winning team from the Erskine Reid Macewen activity Centre (ERMAC) the award recognises the best-performing team in the games. The presentation was a poignant moment, underscoring the deep sense of community and tradition that permeates the event.

Erskine Chief Executive Ian Cumming MBE said: “Erskine’s Sporting Senior Games are a fantastic initiative that involves the entire Erskine community, as well as our friends from care homes across Scotland. As a Veteran, I have witnessed first-hand the life-changing impact that Erskine has on the lives of our Armed Forces community. Events like these are truly inspirational. I would like to congratulate all our worthy winners.”