Canada Senior Games: In a recent showcase of senior athleticism, members of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Tennis and Pickleball Club returned from Quebec City with a collection of Canada Senior Games medals. Held from August 26 to 30, the Games brought together over 2,000 athletes aged 55 and above across various venues in Quebec City. This biannual event featured 20 diverse competitions, including track and field, cribbage, golf, curling, and slo-pitch.
Pickleball Achievements and Challenges
Ken McGillivray and Gerald Pepe, also from the NOTL Tennis Club, earned bronze medals in pickleball, competing in the Men’s 65-plus, Level 3.0 category. For Pepe, the Games marked a debut appearance, a venture sparked by McGillivray’s initiative to form a doubles team that won in a Kitchener qualifying tournament in April. McGillivray had previously claimed gold in tennis at the 2022 Senior Games.
Pepe, a dedicated member of the NOTL Pickleball Club, who also maintains a rigorous routine of cycling and tennis, reflected on their journey.
“Ken’s an avid tennis player, and he’s quick as a bunny. We play pretty well together. We use his speed and combine that with my skills and we thought we could go far, especially if we could play against others in their 70s, because we’re both still quite fit.” – (Pepe)
Their initial match at Laval University presented unexpected challenges, including construction tape disrupting the pickleball lines.
“We were tripping over it. I was really a nervous wreck in our first game. We lost to the same guys we beat in Kitchener for the Ontario title. It was our undoing.” – (Pepe)
Despite these hurdles, McGillivray and Pepe finished 3-2 in the preliminaries, tying with two other teams, and ultimately secured the bronze medal.
Silver and Social Highlights
In addition to his bronze success, Pepe achieved a silver medal in mixed doubles with Sylvia Malgadey, a Kitchener-Waterloo resident and former Canadian Olympic athlete.
“Team Ontario paired us up. Ken and I invited Sylvia and her doubles partner (Barb Monteith) down to Central Community Centre in June. At the games, Sylvia and I ended up in second place in our pool. Then we played second place in the other pool and beat them. Our final game was against the first-place team from our pool. They were both 6’4” and were bang-ballers. We were happy to get silver.” – (Pepe)
Pepe, accompanied by his wife Jude, is still exhilarated by the experience. The Games, similar to the Olympics, featured opening and closing ceremonies that celebrated the athletes. Participants also enjoyed the chance to mingle with competitors from across Canada, including a spirited group from The Yukon.
Ontario emerged victorious with 81 gold, 77 silver, and 53 bronze medals, totaling 211. Alberta followed with 199 medals, while the host province, Quebec, secured 181.
Looking ahead, the next Canada Senior Games are scheduled for 2026, with the host city yet to be announced. Pepe has already committed to participating, regardless of the location.
News in Brief: Canada Senior Games
Niagara-on-the-Lake Tennis and Pickleball Club members won multiple medals at the Canada Senior Games in Quebec City. Competing from August 26 to 30, in pickleball, Ken McGillivray and Gerald Pepe earned bronze, with Pepe also securing silver in mixed doubles.
Ontario led with 81 gold, 77 silver, and 53 bronze medals. The next Games are set for 2026, with the host city to be determined.
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