Neuse River Senior Games (NRSG) is the recipient of a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. The funds are being used to implement and hopefully sustain exercise programs at local senior centers in the region. The programs are designed to enable participants to improve their physical fitness prior to the games. NRSG and Silver Arts Exhibition are scheduled for April 16 – April 25.
The $2000 grant was divided among the six aging service providers affiliated with NRSG. “We are excited to have this additional funding, and plan to hire a Zumba instructor and a personal trainer to help our seniors get into shape before the games, we also plan to purchase fitness journals so class participants can track their progress,” says Kimberly Grissom, Human Services Coordinator at Craven Senior Services, “it’s a great opportunity to help educate and hopefully gain new senior games participants.” Providers are encouraged to begin the fitness programs, which will incorporate range of motion, endurance, resistance, and flexibility exercises, about one month prior to the games. Many providers hope to gain enough participation to sustain the programs after the games end.
More than 260 seniors participated in NRSG last year. Athletes compete in different activities such as bowling, swimming, horseshoes, cycling, track and field, bocce, and cornhole. Participants compete against others in the same age and gender categories in a variety of athletic events designed for individuals of various fitness levels.
NRSG encompasses six counties including Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, and Pamlico. Qualifiers in the local games may go to the North Carolina Senior Games (NCSG) finals held every fall in Raleigh. Every other year participants who qualify at the State Games may continue on to the National Senior Games.
Registration for the 2013 NRSG and Silver Arts ends Friday, March 8th.
For more information or to register, contact Johanne Pryor, NRSG Coordinator, at 252-745-5252 or Billy Wilkes, Events Director, at Craven County Parks and Recreation, 252-636-6606. For more information on NRSG, including registration forms, visit www.cravencounty.com/parks/seniorgames/seniormain.cfm. NCSG information, including sports rules, is available at www.ncseniorgames.org. NRSG is sanctioned by NCSG and is sponsored by the North Carolina Division of Health and Adult Services.
Submitted by: Jillian Hardin, Aging Specialist, Eastern Carolina Council Area Agency on Aging