2005 Games
On this page:
- AFP National Games - Canberra
- 11th Australia and New Zealand Police and Emergency Services Games
- Australian Police Winter games
- Photo gallery
2005 AFP National Games - Canberra
The 2005 AFP National Games were held in Canberra 18–20 November with AFP staff from around Australia competing in a range of sports from snooker to archery.
On 18 November, Deputy Commissioner John Lawler officially opened the Games at the AFP College in Barton. In attendance was Games Ambassador and former Canberra Raiders Rugby League great Mal Meninga.
In the Deputy Commissioner’s opening address, he congratulated AFP staff for their enthusiasm and participation in the Games and wished all competitors success and enjoyment over the weekend. All events were for mixed or open teams, in a bid to promote and encourage health, fitness, and esprit de corps.
The exhibition Touch Football match on the Saturday afternoon, was a major highlight of the weekend with the “AFP Commissioner’s Select” and the “Mal Meninga All Stars” teams going head-to-head at Viking Park at Erindale.
Commissioner Keelty and Mal Meninga lead their respective teams in the exhibition Touch Football match at Viking Park.
11th Australia and New Zealand Police and Emergency Services Games - Adelaide (9 to 16 April 2005)
The games were open to all sworn, unsworn and volunteer members working in the police and emergency services across Australia and New Zealand and invitations were extended to competitors from Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.
The AFP National Sports Federation (AFPNSF) did a fantastic job organising accommodation and playing shirts for all AFP competitors; a tough job considering the AFP team had members from around the country.
Fifty sports were on offer, including track and field, hockey and netball, as well as indoor rowing and darts, which proved popular spectator sports.
The unofficial games motto could have well been “you have to be in it to win it”. In keeping with this spirit, the AFP women’s netball team at the last minute entered the tug-of-war and won silver in both the catchweight and lightweight division.
While the spirit of the games was about fun and enjoyment, there was no lack of serious competition, with the South Australian Police netball team including two players from the Thunderbirds (National Netball League) and there were some ex-state players in the NSW mixed hockey side.
2005 Australian Police Winter games, held at Mount Hotham, Victoria
The AFP’s Dual Gold Medalist, Mel Juric, reports on the 2005 Australian Police Winter games, held at Mount Hotham, Victoria
APWG’, 5 days and nights of fun, friendly competition & comraderie …
The APWG has been an annual event for over 20 yrs involving social events, skiing & snowboard races. The underpinning theme … “IT’S SNOW FUN!”
The Games are a very social affair with participants usually accommodated within the one venue. Everyone breakfasts and dines together – making new friends is a given.
Open to police (past and present), their partners and guests, it is almost impossible to identify who the cops are! Friends and guests will feel a generous warm welcome and thoroughly enjoy themselves, otherwise it’d just be “SNOW FUN!”
Competition caters to all abilities, so regardless of whether you ski off-piste, or just in your dreams – don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of others with whom to share the experience. The events are ability specific and the all important medals and points are awarded to individuals and their respective teams.
Historically, many first time skiers go on to win medals in the “B” division …
All levels of skier and boarder are catered to. The more experienced “Racer’s” compete against themselves, the clock, their fellow age Division competitors on the A Grade course, while novices on the more forgiving “B” Grade course. The race school always ensures that safety is paramount in their course configurations.
Each night of the week presents a new social event. The fancy dress night invigorates the frivolity and is a highly animated affair, and on the final night the formal dinner is assured to be HUGE!
The APWG is both an individual and a team event with two disciplines being offered this year, the Giant Slalom & Slalom events. Each medallist earns valuable team points, tallied to determine the Champion Team for that year.
At the 2005 Games held at Mt.Hotham – Victoria, five teams competed for the Teams Trophy. VICPol (The reigning champions), NSWPol, the Combined Teams of (SAPol, AFP and Tasmania), QLDPol and WAPol. The APSF constitution requires that a minimum of three teams must compete for the trophy.
See you on the slopes in 2006. Remember, that it’ll be “SNOW FUN” unless your there…!
AFP member Tom Huber was also a dual Gold Medallist at this year’s Games.
For more information, see the Australian Police Winter Games website
Photo gallery
View the photo gallery of events for the 2005 AFP games.