California footballer Jeff Serota gathered his best mates — who all play together back home in Manhattan Beach — for his 60th birthday bonanza, convincing them to pack their bags and head to New Zealand to play in the Masters Games.
"I’m on cloud nine," Mr Serota said.
"The fact that my friends all committed to come over is really nice — they gave up a lot of responsibilities."
Mr Serota, who officially turns 60 next week, stumbled across the Masters Games online about six months ago when he was searching for a football tournament for his team to enter.
He quickly contacted the organisers, who said they would welcome the international team, and Serota told his friends they were heading to New Zealand for the first time.
"I turned it into a big 60th birthday event."
A couple of Kiwis had joined the team to make up numbers — "we thought that was really exciting for the cultural reasons" — competing in the over-50 men’s social 11-a-side division.
Like most athletes this week, Serota’s main goal was to return home without getting injured and lap up the fun.
"Just have a real fun time. Get some touches in and meet some great people.
"It’s definitely about participation and enjoyment, not about competition."
They got under way in luxury yesterday, opening their tournament under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium, a slightly different venue from the recreational centres they were used to back home.
"To be able to play in a stadium like this is amazing."
The crew — who are travelling with their wives and partners — earlier spent six days in Queenstown, getting stuck in to all the adventure activities from bungy jumping, and paragliding to the luge.
"We love this country. Our hometown is pretty active also, so Queenstown really resonated with us.
"We all felt like we were at home."
If there is one thing for sure, it has been a birthday trip to remember.
"My wife is here and we’ve been saying this has been one of the greatest trips ever," Mr Serota said.
"The weather has been great. The activities have been great.
"This has been a really special time — a memory for life."
