VICSES awarded as part of the 2022 Police and Emergency Services Games

VICSES awarded as part of the 2022 Police and Emergency Services Games

04/03/2022, 1:18 PM

This year's Police and Emergency Services Games return under its usual schedule and format with more than 40 sports being offered, from March 18 to March 27, across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Established in 1981, and with humble beginnings, 7 sports were initially offered and attracted nearly 1,000 competitors. At the time, eligibility was confined to serving Victoria Police Officers only, but over the years as the Games evolved, more agencies were included to fit the eligibility criteria.

In 2002, the Victoria Police Games Federation made the decision to re-title the Games as the Victoria Police & Emergency Services Games.

There are now 24 police and emergency service agencies in Victoria that are eligible to compete. Each eligible agency is able to nominate an Agency Representative to represent their agency’s interests at Victoria Police Games Federation meetings.

We all know the benefits of an active lifestyle and the positive impact it can have on our physical and mental health and wellbeing. Finding time for family, friends, sport or exercise is a challenge we all face, but it is particularly important for those working in the emergency management sector.

The Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games are about more than competition – they are an opportunity for us to come together, prioritise our own physical and mental health, and invest in the friendships that characterise the spirit of the Games.

The Games are significant because of the diverse range of competitors coming together from our participating agencies.

The 2021 Games were an outstanding success as the games celebrated their 40th Anniversary. Despite the continual threat of interruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was terrific to see nearly 2,400 participants from 30 different agencies take part in a condensed version of the Games, mostly in Geelong.

For the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), this year is particularly special, with VICSES volunteer Anita Lutz to receive the Stuart Taylor Award, whilst VICSES Operations Officer Gerry Sheridan, will receive the Bob Degg Volunteer of the Games Awards.

The Games are for members, employees and/or volunteers of affiliated agencies. While not open for the general public, everyone and anyone is welcome to support participants and be part of the fun.

STUART TAYLOR MEMORIAL AWARD:

This award is presented each year for the “Best Performance of the Games”. This trophy is awarded for excellence not only in the field of competition but also for enthusiasm and willingness to be involved in all aspects of the Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games. The Taylor family has recently handed over the responsibility of selecting the winner to the Executive of the Victoria Police Games Federation, who will take all matters into consideration when making their decision. The winner will be presented with the award at the annual launch of the Games.

BOB DEGG VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award was established just prior to the 2007 Games to recognise the outstanding efforts and achievements of Sports Co-ordinators, Agency Representatives, Games Officials, Massage Therapists and other volunteers in helping to conduct the annual Victoria Police & Emergency Services Games. The volunteers are the lifeblood of the Games Federation, and without their contribution the Games would not be the success it is today.

This award is sponsored by major sponsor APS Benefits and presented to the winner at the annual launch of the Games.

This award provides a wonderful opportunity for the Victoria Police Games Federation to recognise volunteers who go ‘above and beyond’ to create a sense of unity and wellbeing; who embrace the spirit of friendly competition and provide support for all involved in the Games.