Three pickleball teams from Gimli swung their way to glory and brought home medals after competing in the 2024 Manitoba 55+ Games in Brandon from June 18 to 20.
In the 65-69 age category, Ute Vann and Isabelle Tache earned a gold medal. In the 70-plus age category, Sharon Brandow and Dory Walker earned a bronze medal. And on the men’s pickleball team, Edwin Reichert and Jack Reeb earned a gold medal in the 75-plus age category.
The Manitoba 55+ Games are hosted by Active Aging in Manitoba (AAIM), a not-for-profit organization that promotes active aging opportunities to enhance older adults’ health, mobility and participation in the community.
The games are the largest multi-sport event in the province for people aged 55 and older. In addition to pickleball, the event included 8-ball pool, lawn bowling, swimming, track, walking and wall darts, as well as “head games” such as cribbage and scrabble. The athletes also enjoyed plenty of socializing and entertainment.