On behalf of the Board of Directors of the California Senior Games Association, welcome to our new CSGA web site. Our purpose is to keep you up to date about the Senior Games in California – the State Championships and the local and regional games, make certain that new Games are publicized, provide training tips and resources, and stay connected with all the senior athletes in California.

As the President of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2009 Summer National Senior Games, we were honored to be chosen to host the 2009 Games in Northern California. We were also surprised at how few Californians really knew about the Senior Games movement. We think that Senior Games just may be "the best kept secret in California".

I'm now honored to be the chair of the California Senior Games Association. I believe the Athletes of the Senior Games – men and women, 50 years and older - are an inspiration to all who see them compete and a testimony to the importance of exercise, fitness and positive attitude. People of all ages – volunteers, spectators, visitors – watched and supported last summer’s National Senior Games, August 1 – 15, 2009 at Stanford University and other Bay Area venues. Besides resolving to exercise and get in better shape, there was a notable interest in and commitment toward competing in future Senior Games events.

The demographics for the 50+ age group are impressive:

• 26% of our population is 50+, 9.8 million Californians
• Every 7 seconds another Californian turns 50
• In California, people over 50 are responsible for more than 50% of the healthcare dollars spent.
• Account for over 50% of discretionary spending power – 2.5 times average per capita

The chart below shows the breakdown of age demographics of Californians in the growing 45 to 74 bloc - fully 26% of the current population. Including the 45 – 50 age group is relevant since they will be looking towards the opportunity to compete at age 50 and up at the Senior Games. Preventive health measures now will deliver lower personal and societal costs going forward, an astute investment yielding multiple dividends on a continuing basis.

We look forward to hearing from you – this is a great time for senior athletes. There is agreement among experts that healthcare costs for all ages can be reduced by encouraging fitness, exercise and lifestyle changes. Attention, research and study is focused on the importance of exercise. Help us spread the word to all the counties in California – we look forward to a Senior Games in every county in five years.

All our best… and keep training.