If you're looking to get into a sport after a COVID slumber the next week presents as an ideal opportunity.
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The South West Games are back after a year off because of the coronavirus pandemic and will run from this Saturday through to Sunday, November 28 in Warrnambool.
Triathlon, archery, cricket, netball, touch footy, bridge and roller-skating are among the events on the program.
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South West Sport (SWS) interim chief executive officer Brendan Jones said it was exciting to be back after a year off.
"It was the longest-running regional multi-sport event in the country so it hurt to not have it," he said of the event which had been running for more than 20 years straight.
He explained organisers were forced to be innovative this year due to the impacts of the pandemic.
"The whole purpose of the games is to say 'hey, look at your sport a bit differently, run something to get the community and volunteers back in and around your club'," he said.
"Because we think once we break that barrier of just getting people used to going back to their sports club, I think the floodgates will open, but we need to make that re-connection first."
Jones said there was an emphasis on running active recreation events this year to promote participation.
"Some sports are running what we call socially-modified events," he said.
"They're very inclusive, don't rely on there being the normal number of players on opposite teams.
"Some sports have gone down the more traditional path and others are doing other more diverse things all within the safety requirements of their sport."
SWS's Edgar Guerrero, who is overseeing the Games, explained Warrnambool District Hockey Association would have a social sixers session to draw newcomers.
Another example is Archers of Warrnambool reintroducing its free ArchAngels program which is a women's come-and-try program.
He also highlighted Warrnambool Rollers had great events on offer with a roller derby come-and-try on November 28. It will be followed by a social roller disco on that Sunday night.
Jones encouraged clubs to reach out to SWS with any questions they have about administration.
"Because we talk to so many different clubs, we know how broad the challenges are at the moment, they won't be unique, it might feel like they are," he said.
"But if they speak to us about looking at their finances, looking at working with them on strategic plans, letters of support or just outright advice - sometimes a 10 or 15-minute phone call might be just what they need to help them."
Participants are coming from places such as Dimboola, Hamilton, Horsham and Terang for the Warrnambool-based Games.
The Games start with Warrnambool Tri Club's Killarney Triathlon on Sunday.
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