Real life superheroes to compete in Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games
It has been dubbed the Games for the real life superheroes and it is set to be held on the Sunshine Coast for the first time.
It has been dubbed the Games for the real life superheroes and it is set to be held on the Sunshine Coast for the first time.
From October 8-15, the fittest and fastest police, firefighters, ambulance and volunteer emergency services personnel will compete in more than 50 sports at the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games.
Tourism, Sport and Major Events Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray said it was the Sunshine Coast’s first opportunity to host the Games, 14 years on from their last staging in Queensland.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming 2600 competitors and almost 7000 guests all up to our region,” Cr OPray said.
“These Games will be another major event that delivers a big financial boost for our region. We expect this event alone to generate an estimated $8 million in economic contribution to the local economy.
“Many of these competitors and their guests will also stay on after the Games and enjoy everything our region has to offer.
“The Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games is one of 60 major and regional events hosted on the Sunshine Coast this year, and features in the World is Coming campaign.
“This unprecedented schedule of diverse sporting and lifestyle events will attract more than 150,000 guests from 70 different countries and generate about $100 million in economic activity.”
The 49 different sports contested throughout the Games will be hosted at a number of venues around the Sunshine Coast, with the hub based at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Competitors will compete in a diverse range of sports including swimming, surfing, stand up paddle boarding, surf lifesaving, angling, softball, squash and track and field.
The surf lifesaving events will be held at the Alex Surf Club precinct where the competitors will get the chance to take in the stunning coastline while they compete.
Alex Surf Club general manager Ashley Robinson said that the club was honoured to host part of the Games.
“The event not only showcases our beautiful part of the world, but also brings a significant amount of patrons into the clubs, which is great for business,” Mr Robinson said.
“We’re a strong supporter of these events because we believe that while it’s important to keep our beaches safe, it’s also important to be involved in the community and this is an excellent opportunity to do so.”
The Games are for all emergency services including volunteer organisations, such as state emergency and volunteer fire services, lifesavers and marine coast guard.
Invitations have also been forwarded to the Australian Defence Force special units such as the military police and the medical paramedics.
Assistant Games Manager Greg Croft said that the eight days of competition was an important event on the emergency services calendar which promotes camaraderie, healthy lifestyles and awareness of our real life superheros.
“The Games were founded with the intention of bringing Police and Emergency Services personnel together under the common banner of sport,” Mr Croft said.
“This spirit of friendly competition has expanded over the years to embrace emergency services personnel from New Zealand and other Pacific nations.
“The Games are conducted every second year at a new location which provide competitors with the opportunity to travel and enjoy a holiday at various locations.
“This year, our competitors are especially looking forward to exploring the Sunshine Coast while they are here to compete.”
The Games will commence with an Opening Ceremony tomorrow (October 8) at the Sunshine Coast Stadium, starting at 5.30pm. The Opening Ceremony will be open to the public and is free to attend.
The Games will be held at the Sunshine Coast Stadium and throughout other Sunshine Coast venues and is proudly sponsored by Sunshine Coast Council.
Sports include:
AFL 9's, Angling (Fresh), APSM Individual, APSM Team, Aquathon, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cricket (Indoor), Cricket (T20), Cross Country, Crossfit, Cue Sports (Billiards),Cue Sports (Snooker), Cycling (Criterium), Cycling (Road), Cycling (Time Trial), Darts, Dragon Boats, Duathlon, Equestrian, Golf, Hockey (Field), IPSC Individual, IPSC Team, Lawn Bowls, League 9's, Martial Arts, Mountain Biking, Netball, Oztag, Road Race (Half Marathon & 10km), Rowing (Indoor), Rugby 7's, Shooting (Full Bore), Shooting (Pistol), Shooting (Skeet), Shooting (Small Bore), Shooting (Trap), Soccer (Field), Soccer (Indoor), Softball, Squash, Stand-up Paddle Board, Surf Life Saving, Surfing, Swimming (Open Water), Swimming (Pool), Tennis, Tenpin Bowling, Touch Football, Track & Field, Triathlon, Volleyball (Beach)
For more information visit http://www.apandesgames.com.au/