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 the concept that fitness is ageless and competition between people, regardless of age, is healthy. This event was one of the first of its kind in the nation, and started the national movement towards competition for athletes 55 and better. The first competition in 1980 included six sports and 100 athletes and grew to thirteen sports and over 600 athletes by 1992.
In 1998 a non-profit Washington Corporation was formed, with a board of directors consisting of a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, as well as sports commissioners, and the name was changed to the Greater Seattle Senior Games (GSSG). The purpose of GSSG was to promote health, fitness, and a positive image of persons age 50 years and better through participation, competition, education and socialization for all seniors in the Greater Seattle area.
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. People who participate in the NWSG live throughout the Puget Sound Region, Oregon and British Columbia. NWSG provides 15 different sports including Badminton, Pickleball, Ballroom Dancing, Line Dancing, Softball, Fencing, Swimming, Golf, Table Tennis, Half Marathon Walk, Tennis, Ice Hockey, Track & Field, Kayaking, Volleyball, and more. 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!!!
