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VICSES members to bring competitive spark to annual sporting event

19/09/2024, 1:33 AM
The emergency services sector unite to launch the 2024 iteration of the Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games at Melbourne Park's iconic Showcourt 3.

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) members will be put to the test as part of the annual Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games (VPESG), kicking off next month.

Officially launched this week, the event will see emergency service personnel from across the state come together for a week of competition, with more than 40 sports and almost 180 unique events scheduled to take place throughout Victoria between 20 and 27 October.

The initiative includes sports such as angling, darts, equestrian, golf, open water swimming, shooting, and surfing, with individual team events to be hosted across metropolitan Melbourne and at regional locations including Geelong, Bendigo and Lake Eildon.

On average, approximately 100 VICSES volunteers and staff have participated annually in the games in recent years, after the eligibility criteria was broadened in 2002 to permit members of Victoria Police’s emergency service partner agencies to partake in both individual and team events.

On Thursday, 19 September, representatives from across Victoria’s emergency services sector gathered at Melbourne Park to officially launch the games, in conjunction with Tennis Australia.

(From left) VICSES Acting Deputy Chief Officer Capability Mark Cattell, VICSES Port Phillip Unit volunteer Cindy Nitsos, Australian tennis superstar Daria Saville, VICSES Footscray Unit volunteer Bruno Jenel and VICSES Operations Officer Capability Improvement Gerry Sheridan.

VICSES Acting Deputy Chief Officer Capability Mark Cattell was in attendance alongside VICSES Footscray and Port Phillip Unit volunteers, and was joined by VICSES Operations Officer Capability Improvement, Gerry Sheridan, who also serves as Vice-President of the VPESG.

Set to be included in the games for the first time in 2024 is the fastest-growing sport worldwide, pickleball, which was showcased in an exhibition format alongside tennis as part of the VPESG launch on Thursday.

VICSES Footscray Unit volunteer Bruno Jenel joined his fellow first responders in a game of pickleball at the launch.

Since the inaugural Victoria Police Games held in 1981, the event has grown to regularly host thousands of participants from more than 25 Victorian agencies and emergency service providers, offering a unique environment which cultivates camaraderie while promoting physical and mental wellbeing.

The games are open to members, employees and volunteers of affiliated agencies, and members of the public are encouraged to support participants and join in the spirit of the initiative.

To find out more or to register for a sport, visit https://www.emergencyservicesgames.org.au.

Quotes attributable to Gerry Sheridan, VICSES Operations Officer Capability Improvement

“The Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games is a fantastic way for our VICSES volunteers and staff to further develop our relationships with our emergency services partners, while competing in a space which promotes positive mental and physical health.

“With more than 40 events to choose from, we encourage our members to register and get involved where possible, regardless of their skill level, and embrace a week of friendly competition at outstanding facilities across the state.”