Ashley Ricci – from Rowing to Rugby!

My name is Ashley Ricci and I work for the New York Police Department, based at the 28^th Precinct in Harlem.

Before I joined the Police, I was a rower – I rowed in the Division 1 team when I was at College and when I graduated I was selected to train with the US Development Team in Connecticut. This was full-time training and I competed several times in America as a lightweight rower and I even travelled to Galway to compete in the Head of the Tribesman Regatta, which I won gold in both the Women's 8 and Women's Quad.

When I joined the Police, I was not able to continue rowing but I still wanted to be part of an organised and competitive sport. One of my colleagues played for the NYPD Rugby Team and suggested that I should give rugby a go. Unfortunately, the Police Team here didn’t have a women’s side, so I did a bit of investigating to see what teams were in the area. I discovered the Village Lions Rugby Club who soon became my second family! My passion for this new sport grew overnight and I spent many hours at the Club learning all the essential skills from some amazing people.

When I learned that Women's Rugby was being offered at the Games in Belfast for this first time, I jumped at the chance to compete internationally and be part of this fast-growing sport for women. I am travelling over with the Men’s NYPD Rugby Team and have entered as a pool player for the tournament.

My training is well underway with the Village Lions and I’m looking forward to being part of the first Women’s Rugby event at the Games! See you there!

Click here for more information about Rugby at the 2013 WPFG, or if you’d like to register for any of the sports events please click here.

The NI Tridents prepare for the 2013 World Police and Fire Games

The Northern Ireland Tridents is a local recreational league Ice Hockey team which was formed in spring 2010. It incorporates members of the three main emergency services in Northern Ireland: The Police Service of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Northern Ireland Prison Service. During 2010 colleagues from across the border in An Garda Siochana also joined the team giving the Northern Ireland Tridents a unique position as the first ever all-Ireland joint emergency services sporting team on the Island.

Click here to find out more about the Tridents and visit our sports page to read more about Ice Hockey at the Games.

Henrik from Copenhagen…….

Hi there! I’m Henrik Hansen and I'm a fire fighter in the Copenhagen Fire Department in Denmark where I've been for over 28 years.

My passion is golf and I have played at the Games many times, I have also competed in the Muster event in Adelaide in 2007.

I have some great memories of playing golf at the World Police and Fire Games – at the 1999 Games in Stockholm I was partnered up with a fire fighter called Chuck from Memphis and we had the best three days on the course. Unfortunately, I lost touch with Chuck after the Games and didn’t expect our paths to cross again. That was until I turned up for my first day’s play at the 2001 Games in Indianapolis.

I was unloading my clubs from the boot of my car and heard this yell from the other side of the car park. I wondered who it could be and I turned round to see Chuck! He ran towards me yelling...."Henrik from Copenhagen…….???" I of course responded, “Chuck from Memphis....???” We spent hours chatting like we had known each other for years – this is what makes the spirit of the Games for me.

Chuck from Memphis, if you’re reading this, I really hope you are coming to Belfast!!

Click here for more information about Golf.

2013 WPFG Boxing video

 

We have produced a video about 2013 World Police and Fire Games Boxing competition. It features an interview with former world boxing champion Dave 'Boy' McAuley from County Antrim. He talks about his experiences of matches at the Ulster Hall, the venue for this year's WPFG boxing, and the unique atmosphere it creates.
Click here to find out more about Boxing at the Games.

100 days to go until the opening ceremony

Today there are 100 days to go until the opening ceremony of the 2013 World Police & Fire Games at the King's Hall in Belfast! Over the next hundred days, we'll be profiling lots of fantastic competitors from around the world who will be coming to Belfast for the Games. We'll also be sharing stories from our Volunteers and the 2013 Team. 

Below is the first contribution from Jim Currell of the Victoria Police. If you would like to contribute to the blog, please contact Karen in the 2013 WPFG team.

My name is Jim Currell and I am a sergeant with Victoria Police in Melbourne, Australia. I am originally from Northern Ireland - I was born in Bangor and left with my family for Australia at the age of 14 months. This will be my first time returning to Northern Ireland since I emigrated and I am very excited about my trip home after over fifty years!

I have competed in the World Police and Fire Games before – I took part in the 4 x 400 metre event in my home town of Melbourne in 1995. This year, I am taking part in the Track and Field 200 & 400 metre events. I have competed in several Australia and New Zealand Police Games where I won gold and set an ANZPG record for the 400 metres which was surpassed a few years later. I am passionate about sport and am a qualified Track & Field coach where I have been involved with the National Junior Development Program (up to under 20 level).

Not only am I looking forward to my visit home and competing in the Games, but I am also thrilled to celebrating my 30th wedding anniversary with my wife on 6 August (right in the middle of the Track and Field events!). Hopefully I can bring some Aussie sunshine with me to share with everyone! 

Click here for more information about Track and Field events.

New 2013 WPFG video

We've produced a new video to highlight how great an event Belfast and Northern Ireland are going to put on this August!