The 2009 NSW Police Games celebrated its 25th Year Anniversary with great participation, enthusiasm from competitors as well as great support from the emergency services.
Held in Blacktown City for the seventh year in a row, participants were greeted with world class sports and leisure facilities and venues. Thank you to the Mayor of Blacktown, Councillor Charlie Lowles and his staff for their continued support of this event. Open to all emergency services and immediate family these Games continue to be about having a good time and meeting people. 2009 saw 1,348 individuals (1,493 entries) compete in thirty three events across the nine days of competition.
The official Launch was one to remember with three-time Olympian and fellow police officer S/C Matt Gray from the Port Stephens Water Police and former NSW Police Games Board Member and retired police officer Inspector John Wakefield, OAM as guest presenters. Thank you also to the expertise and professionalism of MC, Inspector Paul Martin.
Those attending the morning were – Councillor Charlie Lowles, Mayor of Blacktown City, Assistant Commissioner Dave Hudson – State Crime Command, Senior Constable Garrie Watt, Vice-Chairman of the NSW Police Games, Inspector Frank Cunningham – Chairman of the Dept of Corrective Services Sports Assoc, Mr Chris Murtagh – Treasurer of the NSW Fire Brigade Sports Assoc, Ms Elizabeth Dowd, Marketing Events Officer – Police Credit Union and the PCU team of Business Development Managers, Ms Rochelle Geeves – Event Recruitment of the 2009 Sydney World Masters Games, Senior Police and Blacktown City Council Board Directors.
Thank you to the Vice-Chairman of the NSW Police Games Garrie Watt, for standing in for me at this year’s Launch, whilst I was away climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The NSW Police Force at the Launch were also presented with the Summer Blood Challenge Trophy, after a hard fought win of blood donations across the summer months, against rivals the NSW Motorcycle Association. We look forward to breaking the deadlock in 2010
Thank you to our major sponsors Blacktown City Council, NSW Police Council of Sport, 2009 Sydney World Masters Games and the Police Credit Union.
Congratulations to Matt Treston and Stephen Newton on another successful year with the soccer reaching 336 participants for both field and indoor soccer!
Thank you to Stuart Hartley (Dept of Corrective Services) for his late call-up to organize the Oz Tag event. Despite his late appointment the event ran very smoothly and was enjoyed by all. We look forward to his continued involvement as Coordinator in 2010.
Thanks also to those new to organize events within the NSW Police Games – Glynis Cameron (Basketball), Eleanor Hume (Cycling), Glynis Hutchison (Equestrian), Gary Keir (Fun Run/Walk), Garry Ballard (Swimming), Graham Hill (Swimming), Glen Gorrick (Triathlon) and Scott Stevenson (Tug-o-War).
Congratulations to all Sports Coordinators in 2009. Thank you for donating your time and expertise to these events.
The 2010 NSW Police Games planning is well underway with the 2010 NSW Police Games scheduled from Saturday, 20th March to Sunday, 28th March, 2010 (3 weeks after the conclusion of the Tasmanian AP&ES Games in Hobart). The Official Launch will take place on Friday, 19th March from 10.00am. Venue to be advised.
See you in 2010!
Senior Sergeant Jim Prendergast
CHAIRMAN – NSW POLICE GAMES
