THE City of Mandurah has attracted another international event to its shore with the announcement today they will host the 17th Australasian Police & Emergency Services (APES) Games in 2018.
These games are open to police and emergency service agency personal – both retired and serving.
Chairman of the Western Australia Police Sports Federation, WA Police Deputy Commissioner Stephen Brown was in Mandurah today to announce the games.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWMr Brown said Mandurah will be a fantastic place to see 5000+ police and emergency services members compete.
“This is a great way to celebrate all they do for the community,” he said.
“They can come and enjoy Mandurah and compete in 50 different events at the Foreshore, in the water and at the sporting facilities.”
Mandurah Recreation Centre and Services manager Craig Johnson said some funding for the games would be provided by the City.
“There is a lot of negotiation around responsibilities,” he said.
“We are committed to providing sporting infrastructure and other costs that are appropriate for the City to chip in towards.
“This is part of the City’s bigger approach to attract events.”
The games are currently being hosted by the Sunshine Coast.
Mandurah Mayor Marina Vergone thinks Mandurah can do a better job of putting on the games though.
“This event provides a great opportunity to showcase some of the best parts of Mandurah to a broad audience of athletes and
spectators from across the country, but it will also be another community event the people of Mandurah can be proud of,” she said.
“Bringing events like the APES Games to our special part of the world is part of the City’s ongoing priority to attract major sporting and cultural events to Mandurah.”
Mayor Vergone said the Mandurah Recreation Centre will be finished in time for the games.
It will have six indoor basketball courts and the swimming facilities.
Department of Fire & Emergency Services Commissioner Wayne Gregson expects there to be some friendly rivalry between the services and their international counterparts.
“Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia are all invited,” he said.
“I know Singapore is competitive as I’ve seen them at the paramedic games.”
New Zealand, Papua New Guinean and Pacific Island competitors are also expected to take part in the games.
St John Ambulance Chief Executive Tony Ahern said nurses working in Emergency Departments will also be invited to participate.
“From a participant’s point of view, the Games provide a great opportunity for inter-agency collaboration, competition and comradery,” he said.
About the games
The Games are held every two years as a multi-sport event open to serving and retired personnel from all police and emergency service agencies throughout Australasia.
The Western Australia Police Sports Federation will organise the 2018 Games to be conducted between October 28 and November 3.
Promotion of the Games begins this weekend with the staging of the 2016 APES Games on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
A logo and mascot, Bluey the crab, have already been selected for the 2018 Games, which will be promoted on social media using the hashtag #Mandurah2018.