Police, paramedics, firefighters and SES volunteers will be amongst 3000 participants running and splashing into action on netball courts, football fields and in the swimming pool during the upcoming 2019 Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games.
The games will be officially launched today at the MCG with Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent, Police Minister Lisa Neville and former Australian sport stars Steve Moneghetti and Bryce McGain.
Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games Federation president Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said the Games are about more than competition.
"The benefits of fitness on our physical and mental health and wellbeing are well known," he said.
"The Games are an opportunity for us to come together and prioritise our own physical and mental health while investing in the friendships that characterise the spirit of the Games.
"The nature of the work undertaken by our emergency services workers is extremely admirable and often involves situations that are a matter of life and death.
"Police officers and emergency services members work arm-in-arm every day to protect the community so many close bonds are formed.
"We're expecting to see some fierce and friendly rivalries emerge between different emergency services at this year's games," he said.
The 2019 Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games include a variety of sports from basketball, AFL, indoor cricket, netball, equestrian, lawn bowls, swimming, cross-country running and surfing.
The games, which kick off on 22 March and run through to 31 March, involves representatives from 22 agencies and will be held at a range of locations across the state stretching from Bendigo to Phillip Island.
For more information or to register for the games, please visit www.emergencyservicesgames.org.au
