Olympic team set their sights on glory

The reigning champions of the Hedland-Broome Olympics set off from the Hedland Home and Community Care house last week to fight for their coveted trophy.

Held annually, the Olympics are a competition between clients of HACC house and Bran Nue Dae Community Care in Broome.

Competitors aged 70 and up compete in games like quoits, minute to win it, sticky ball and carpet bowls.

Ninety-year-old Joyce Pearson, in her third year of competing, said she was determined to see Hedland bring home the trophy once more.

“We’re going to win this one – you’ve got to think positively,” she said.

“I’ve never been one to sit down and do nothing, you’ve got to keep active, and this is how we do it.

“You can’t let it get into your head that you’re getting old. I’m not, I’m holding the trophy.”

Southern Cross Care assessment officer Alison Matthews said the competition, now in its 19th year, was a fantastic opportunity for the competitors.

“It’s not something you’d expect the older people would get a chance to do, but they love it,” she said.

“We’ve been lucky enough to have a number of sponsors come on board to help us out with accommodation and uniforms, and we’re really thankful to them.”

The Hedland Olympic team was sponsored by Bullbuck, Crawford Realty, Kelly Howlett, South Hedland Pharmacy and the Port Hedland RSL sub-branch.