Esperance Games brings laughter, teamwork and new friendships to Hope Island

Esperance residents came together in July for a day of friendly competition, laughter and connection during the inaugural Esperance Games, a new community event that is already set to become an annual tradition.

The first-ever Esperance Games was the brainchild of Village Manager Haley Seymour, who worked with Lifestyle Concierge Casey Sargeant to create a day that encouraged residents to get involved, work together and enjoy a little healthy competition.

From egg-and-spoon obstacle races and thong tossing to chopstick challenges, pool noodle javelin and a light-hearted dress-up finale, the Olympics-inspired event was full of opportunities to laugh together.

Casey said the idea was to create an event that brought the community together in a different way and gave residents something exciting to look forward to.

“We wanted to create a day that was playful, inclusive and full of laughter, and it exceeded all of our expectations,” Casey said.

“People were cheering each other on, dressing up, laughing together and encouraging their teammates all day. It was one of those events where everyone left with a smile on their face.”

More than 30 residents took part across six teams, with many more coming along as spectators throughout the day before enjoying a celebratory barbecue, live music and happy hour celebration sin the afternoon.

Residents from both the Esprit and Essence buildings mixed together throughout the games, with many meeting neighbours they had not previously spent time with.

“It was wonderful to see people from across the village connecting with one another,” Casey said.

“Some residents who had never really spoken before were chatting, laughing and then sitting down together afterwards for a drink. That sense of connection is what community living is all about.”

Casey also paid tribute to Haley, saying the event would not have happened without her enthusiasm, creativity and regular reminders to residents to register their teams and get involved.

“Haley deserves all the credit for the idea. She had a clear vision of creating something that was fun and memorable, and she put so much energy into building excitement beforehand,” Casey said.

“Seeing the residents embrace it the way they did was incredibly rewarding.”

The overwhelmingly positive response has already sparked plans for a bigger and better Esperance Games in 2027, with residents already asking what challenges will be included.

“The number one question we keep getting is, ‘What are we doing next year?’” Casey said.

“We had residents who watched this year and said they wished they had entered a team, so we’re already excited about making next year’s games even bigger.

“It’s so important that people keep moving, trying new things and enjoying life alongside other people. These kinds of activities help residents stay active, keep their minds engaged and, most importantly, make sure no one feels like they’re doing retirement on their own.”

Reside Communities CEO Glen Brown said the Esperance Games was a great example of the village team creating meaningful opportunities for residents to enjoy life together.

“Events like this show the difference that a dedicated village team can make,” Glen said.

“It’s not just about organising an activity; it’s about creating moments where people can participate, meet new neighbours and build genuine connections.”

Glen said Esperance had been designed to make use of a range of shared spaces that allow the community to come together in their familiar environments.

“The games made wonderful use of the village environment, and it was fantastic to see residents moving through different areas and enjoying the day together,” he said.

“The focus at Esperance is on creating a vibrant community where people can stay involved, try new experiences and continue enjoying an active and social lifestyle.”

With plans already underway for the second annual Esperance Games, the inaugural event has become much more than a day of competition. It has become a new tradition that residents are already counting down to next July.

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