Masters Sport Perspectives

INTRODUCTION The Masters sport movement, which began locally as collections of community-based ventures, has grown tremendously and expanded nationally and internationally (Hastings, Cable and Zahran 2005). It is estimated that over 50 countries hold their own Masters sport events, and that the Master phenomenon relates to at least 44 different sports worldwide (Coaching Association of Canada 2013). Masters athletes (MAs) are individuals who participate in competitive sport in their adult years, with organized events typically beginning at age 35 and extending into the 90s. Masters sportspersons are characterized by formal registration for an organization (e.g., club or league) or event (e.g., 10 km road race, a bonspiel, a Masters games), and a sufficiently regular pattern of involvement that supports their training in preparation for a sport event (Young 2011). Some adult sport participants train in programmes dedicated to their specific age-cohort, whereas others carry out their day-to-day involvement alongside younger (e.g., adolescent, young adult) athletes; however, Master sport is probably best characterized by adults’ participation in competitive events that are segregated and advertised to adults alone. Indeed, events that are dedicated and marketed to Masters sportspersons have grown tremendously in number and in popularity in recent years.