Team Northern Ireland get ready for Vancouver

The Northern Ireland Team travelling to the 2009 World Police and Fire Games are ready to ‘Get Set and Go’ to Vancouver next week.

Sports Minister, Nelson McCausland joined with competitors and guests at a reception in Stormont to send his best wishes to the team.

Speaking today during the reception, Minister McCausland said: “I believe that we are at the beginning of a significant journey, not just for the three services competing in the 2009 Games in Vancouver but for everyone in Northern Ireland as we look towards hosting the World Police and Fire Games here in 2013.

“I welcome the opportunity to honour the Northern Ireland team who are keen to increase their medal tally of 12, which was achieved in Adelaide in 2007 and I send my best wishes for the forthcoming games in Vancouver.”

Approximately 100 competitors will participate in a number of disciplines such as athletics, boxing, swimming, golf, indoor rowing and rugby.

The Minister concluded: “Team Northern Ireland is not just travelling to Vancouver to compete in the 2009 games but also to promote Northern Ireland as the venue for the 2013 Games. It is estimated that there could be somewhere in the region of 25,000 people staying in Northern Ireland for the Games in 2013 .We must encourage more events like this to consider Northern Ireland as a potential host and help them to see what we have to offer in terms of people and facilities, so that we can reap the benefits that such events bring with them."

Team Northern Ireland have appointed Assistant Chief Constable, Duncan McCausland as their Chef De Mission and speaking at the reception ACC McCausland said: “The large number of athletes representing Northern Ireland at this year’s games signifies a great achievement for all involved. On behalf of everyone within the three services, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our competitors every success in Vancouver.

“When we are the host country for the 2013 games it is vitally important that we put Northern Ireland centre stage for all the right reasons. Our trip to this year’s games will also provide us with the chance to see how things are organised behind the scenes.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The World Police and Fire Games is a biennial event, which is organised for all “sworn law enforcement officers”. This includes, police, Fire, Customs, Prison Service and some smaller enforcement agencies such as Coastguard Services and drug enforcement agencies.

2. The Games last for 10 days and include a wide range of individual and team sports such as athletics, football, swimming, rugby, field & Ice hockey, shooting, rowing, tennis, golf, 10 pin and lawn bowls, cycling etc.

3. Number of competitors range from 7000-10,000 and come from all round the world with a huge influx from North and South America, Australia, New Zealand and mainland Europe.

4. There are approximately 100 competitors from Northern Ireland taking part in 2009 games in Vancouver. The three services competing are PSNI, Fire & Rescue and Prison Service.

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