Tara Manson, mother of 5, arrived at the Games Village with three of her boys, taking in the atmosphere that makes events like this so special. For her, it’s the people that stand out most, athletes of all ages coming together with a shared interest in sport, movement, and staying active. “It’s such a good vibe, ” she said. “You really feel the energy at events like this.”
Sport For Life
Sport has always been part of Tara’s life. Growing up in Canada, she played hockey, basketball, and a range of other sports. That
foundation stayed with her, even as life became busier. In recent years, she’s taken on new challenges, starting both rugby and
triathlon at the age of 38, something she hopes shows her children that it’s never too late to try something new. A big part of that journey has been sharing sport as a family. Tara and her boys play rugby together, train together, and support one another.
For her, sport is less about results and more about showing up, setting goals, and enjoying the experience. It’s also a way to
spend meaningful time together. She understands why some people hesitate to get involved in sport later in life. She felt the same doubts herself at first. But her experience has been overwhelmingly positive. “I’ve been welcomed everywhere I’ve gone” she said. Her advice is simple: give it a try, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
Future Masters Games
While travelling through sport isn’t a focus right now, Tara hopes it will be in the future, particularly through Masters events as her
children get older. For now, being at the Games with her boys is something she values, a chance to be part of a community that
reflects the message she wants to pass on: stay active, stay curious, and enjoy the journey.
