This year marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the United States of America that simply became known as 9/11.
To honour the almost 3,000 victims and in particular, the 412 emergency services workers (including 343 Firefighters) who lost their lives that day, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is joining with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) to host a special Commemorative Sports Day.
Teams will come together on Sunday 12th September and battle it out at across a multitude of sports including AFL, rugby league, rugby union, cricket, and soccer. For the first time, the AFL Women’s round robin competition will include a QAS team before the QFES and QPS men’s team follow on the women.
Ipswich Firefighter and QFES AFL Coordinator Matt Dillion, said it had been a great achievement to get the emergency services AFL Women’s teams up and running this year.
“We all do the same job; we all have the same responsibilities so it’s great to come together and all have a team,” he said.
Matt and his QFES AFL teammates will take to the field and don a tribute jersey with the names of the 343 fallen New York firefighters represented.
“As a group we feel extremely honored to wear the FDNY – New York Fire Department logo and pay respect to our colleagues,” he said.
“Bringing Queensland’s emergency services family together to honour the sacrifice made by New York’s emergency services 20 years ago, we will acknowledge the events of 11th September 2001, and the ultimate sacrifice made by our fellow emergency responders. Rather than mourn their loss, we will use the day to celebrate their bravery.
“I’m looking forward to the occasion and seeing the teams out there compete and represent their organisation.
“We all love our jobs as first responders and to represent who we are and what we do, we are very fortunate.
“We have over 150 players and officials involved in the AFL matches and over 300 people across the other sporting events on the day.”
Held at the South Pine Sports Complex the day will include fire and police special vehicles on display, amusement rides, food trucks, merchandised plus giveaways for the whole family.
9/11 Commemorative Sports Day Program
The day will involve seven separate sporting events to be played at the same venue.
08.00am – 02.00pm Cricket (two games of 20/20 back to back)
10.00am – 11.30am Women’s Aussie Rules
10.30am – 12.00pm Masters Rugby League
11.00am – 12.30pm Football (soccer)
12.00pm – 02.00pm Men’s Aussie Rules
01.00pm – 02.30pm Rugby Union
03.00pm – 03.30pm Official Ceremony
03.30pm – 05.00pm Rugby League
Venue
South Pine Sports Complex – 620 South Pine Rd, Brendale
Charity
The event is free, however there will be a donation facility onsite and fundraising activities throughout the day, including raffles and the sale of limited merchandise. EFTPOS will be available onsite.
For further information, please contact fireandrescue.afl@qfes.qld.gov.au
