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New name, new location as The GOOD Games replace The Guelph Games

The GOOD Games, a multi-sport competition, will be held at the University of Guelph and downtown July 8-9
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Shooting some hoops at The Guelph Games/Canada Day event at Exhibition Park last summer.

A new name, a new location, but the same action-packed weekend.

Registration is open for the newly named GOOD Games, being held July 8-9 at the University of Guelph.

"We found that people were getting confused in thinking it was just a Guelph competition," event CEO Helen Stoumbos of the national competition.

"I think when we started hearing that over and over again, it just made sense for us to halt the confusion and make the name change."

The GOOD Games – GOOD being an acronym for the games motto 'Get out and out do' – will see athletes participate in various track and field events, as well as basketball, beach volleyball, pickleball, slo pitch or a five or 10-kilometre trail run.

It's promoted as Canada's biggest masters multi-sport festival for athletes over the age of 30.

This includes former professionals, former high school or college athletes or those looking to compete for the first time.

Most of the events will take place at U of G.

The beach volleyball, meanwhile, will be the focal point of the action downtown.

"We're closing up the downtown, and making the festival a big party at Quebec and Wyndham Street," Stoumbos said. "We're putting up a beach volleyball court right on the street."

She said the university and downtown location is what was originally planned for the 2020 launch, with the beach volleyball competition happening on Carden Street, but the pandemic derailed the plan.

Last year, a modified version of the event was held at Exhibition Park on Canada Day.

Over 1,200 athletes are expected to participate, double what was seen in 2022.

She said the festival is free to attend. There will be food trucks, a beer garden, games for families and lots of entertainment.

"We want the festival to be something Guelph can really embrace," Stoumbos said.


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Mark Pare

About the Author: Mark Pare

Originally from Timmins, ON, Mark is a longtime journalist and broadcaster, who has worked in several Ontario markets.
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