Sudbury 2025 OSGA Games

The Ontario 55+ Games are part of Games Ontario, operated under the auspices of the Ontario Government’s Ministry of Sport. There are three summer games held every two years : the Parasport Games (hosted this year in Niagara), the Youth Games (hosted in London in 2024 and in Waterloo in 2026), and the 55+ Games – hosted this year in Sudbury. There were 1200 participants in 16 sports, along with 200 volunteers.

The tennis events were played at both the James Jerome Sports Complex and the Sudbury Indoor Tennis Centre. There were 60 tennis players who traveled from throughout the province including Muskoka, Brampton, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara, London, Chatham, Cornwall and Durham as well as Sudbury.

They enjoyed all the trappings of a multi-sport games, including an opening ceremony, a festive dinner at the impressive Science North complex, and accommodations at Laurentian University.

There were 6 teams from SouthWest Region. Gold medals in the 55+ division were won by Ray Ferguson & Dave Mitro for men’s doubles, and by Johanne Crawford & Hugo Lirio for mixed doubles. In the 65+ category, Linda Anderson & Linda Vaughn were awarded women’s doubles gold, while Diane de Moel and Don Pozojevic won silver in the mixed doubles. In the 70+ category, George Najbert & Manny Umoquit earned the gold medal. Coral Mackenzie & Michelle Marsh competed in the 55+ women’s doubles division.

Players qualify to enter the provincial games through competition in OSGA district events, usually held in May and June.

Thanks to Mike Robinson and Mike Kool for managing the District 24 (Niagara) and District 22 (Hamilton) competitions. Special mention is in order for the first-ever tennis competition in District 21 (Halton), staged at Joshua Creek Academy at the end of June by the Halton Tennis Association’s dynamic duo of Greg Kirsten and Alex Bittermann. They pulled out all the stops to make it a festive affair, with barbecues and a great social atmosphere. The schedule was disrupted by particularly bad timing of rains, but “the show must go on” was the rallying cry. Huge appreciation is extended to Greg and Alex, and to all the players who made it memorable.

Masters competition in all age groups from 30+ to 90+ is the fastest-growing element in the sport of tennis. Yet we have very few competition opportunities beyond the ITF tournaments that tend to feature highly accomplished players. The OSGA system of doubles play in practical geographic areas is worthy of greater attention, and it builds nicely on the very popular ICTA 55+ team format. The essential element, as always, is willing volunteers to manage event logistics. Court availability and player participation are the other necessary ingredients.