Footballers are among those who represented Central at the NZ Masters Games in Dunedin over the weekend.

Six women and one man from Central took part in the event's football tournament, from February 3 to 5.

The contingent were from Alexandra United Football Club’s (AUFC) newly formed women’s team and the Matakanui Rangers men’s team. 

Central’s players combined with teams from across New Zealand forging new friendships on and off the field over the three-day tournament.

Five of the women joined the Bay of Plenty’s 'Herd of Nerds’ playing in Otūmoetai’s (a suburb of Tauranga) green and white strip, in the women's 30+ category.

Alyssa Serignese played with ‘Lakes Ladies - Illusion of Greatness’ (Southern Lakes) in the women’s 25+ competitive league and James Dixon with Green Island Rovers (Dunedin) in the men's 35+ grade.

A spokesperson for AUFC women said hopefully getting out there and having fun in the tournament would inspire friends and whānau, whatever their age, to stay active. 

Dunedin’s weather posed challenges with an unseasonably cold Saturday and only 7 degrees Celsius at 9am, but by Monday afternoon temperatures had skyrocketed to 30C.

‘The Herd of Nerds’ prior to their first game on Saturday morning. PHOTO: Supplied.

With the focus firmly on fun, fellowship and participation over winning, slide tackles were not permitted and enjoyment was first and foremost with teams donning costumes and warming up with team theme songs blasting.

Along with football three swimmers from Alexandra Swimming Club (ASC) raced in the masters games in Moana Pool and in the Otago harbour open water event.

ASC’s June Schaap won the 1500m open water race (55-59-year-olds) with a time of 20 minutes and 12 seconds, she was the first woman home and second equal overall in the event.

June and ASC coaches Brittany Goodrick (29) and Ashleigh Rankin (24) are swimming today and tomorrow in various races in the pool (February 7-9).  

Pictured (from left) are ASC's Ashleigh, June and Brittany with their haul of medals. PHOTO: Supplied

The fun of the games has also come to Central this week with Central Otago Pistol Club hosting cowboy action, black powder and speed steel challenge shooting events until February 11. 

Read more: Range of masters games coming to Central.

The 35th NZ Masters Games in Dunedin includes more than 60 different sports and activities from archery, athletics to curling, fishing, futsal, jigsaw racing, hockey, pickleball, waka ama and wine options. 

More than 5000 people, ranging in ages from 18-years-old to 95 will take part in New Zealand’s largest annual multi-sport event.  

The 2025 NZ Masters Games are to be held in Whanganui (January 31 - February 9). 

Read more: Women’s football kicking off in Alexandra

Read more: New swim coach for Alexandra and Cromwell.

Read more: Alexandra swimmer smashes her own records.

Find out about some local clubs participating in the NZ Masters Games on Central App listings: Alexandra United Football Club, Central Otago Pistol Club, Alexandra Swimming Club and Cromwell Swimming Club.