The senior sports movement began in Seattle in 1980, with the inception of the Senior Sports Festival, sponsored by the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department and King County Parks Department. The Senior Sports Festival was developed to promote fitness and competition between people, regardless of age.

In 1998 the name was changed to Northwest Senior Games (NWSG) and expanded to include representatives from five partner City agencies including Redmond, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Shoreline and Seattle.

The NWSG provides 15 different sports including Badminton, Pickleball, Ballroom Dancing, Line Dancing, Swimming, Golf, Table Tennis, Half Marathon 10K Walk, Tennis, Ice Hockey, Track and Field, shuffleboard and horseshoes.

The NWSG is affiliated with the Washington State Senior Games, whose board work with the National Senior Games and Washington State's other local Senior Games to ensure quality and coordination. Athletes can compete in the Northwest Senior Games and then go on to compete in the Washington State Senior Games, and if they qualify, go all the way to compete in the National Senior Games held every two years. There are no other events in the Northwest that better foster the spirit of fun, competition and camaraderie.

Sporting events are held in over 22 differnet venues. From community centers, pools, gyms and public parks, the NWSG has cultivated choice facilities in Seattle, Redmond and more. See our Locations and Directions.

The Northwest Senior Games is run by a governing body the Board of Trustees. Individual sports are run by Commissioners. Every year from mid April to mid July events are held at various facilities in Seattle, Redmond, Bellevue, Shoreline, Kirkland. Winners get medals and the accolades of their cohorts. Results are posted here. Althletes can register for events and pay their fees though this website.

With a Registration Fee, of $30 athletes can enter Badminton, Pickleball, Shuffleboard, Swimming, Table Tennis and Tennis. Plus $5 for each event entered. For instance if an athlete entered Badminton Singles, their fee would be $35.Golf, Dance, Track and Field, and Hockey have a different pricing schemes, listed below

General Registration
Registation Each Event
$30 $5
This applies to Badminton, Pickleball, Shuffleboard, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis
Horseshoes cost $10 (not $5)
Track and Field
Registation Each Event
$15 $5
Golf
Single Fee $50
Half Marathon
Suggested Donation $25
Ice Hockey
Per Player Registration Fee $110
Dance
$6 advance or $8 at the door for either ballroom or line dance $10 advance or $14 at the door for both
See below sports offered for the Northwest Senior Games 2011 season.

Events Offered for 2011

Sport Commissioner Dates Venue
Badminton Joyce Jones June 10,11 Meadowbrook Community Center
Dance Teri Burke June 18, 19 Rainier Community Center
Golf Dan Guzzo June 7 Jackson Park Golf Course
Half Marathon Marigrace Becker July 9 Gas Works Park
Hockey Bob Peterson May 18th 19th, 21st 22nd Olympic View Ice Arena (Mountlake Terrace)
Horse Shoes Bob Hassan May 14th, 15th Lower Woodlawn
Pickleball Betty Silver
Larry Silver
June 18th, 19th Rainier Community Center
Shuffleboard Rob Robinson June 11, 12 Crista Retirement Community (Shoreline)
Swimming Janet Kavadas June 18th Juanita Aquatics Center (Kirkland)
Table Tennis Norm Ward
Howard Grossman
June 12th Green lake Community Center
Tennis Ginny Scantleburry August 5, 6, 7 Harbor Square Athletic Club (Edmonds)
Track and Field Tim Pretare June 4 West Seattle Stadium