World Police & Fire Games - NI Executive announce support for the Games

16 September 2010

Northern Ireland Executive announce funding to support the 2013 Games Photo Caption - Pictured at the Funding Announcement for the World Police & Fire Games 2013 are: (front) Dame Mary Peters, Patron of WPFG 2013, (back l-r) Robin Masefield, NI Prison Service, Justice Minister David Ford, ACC Duncan McCausland, PSNI, DCAL Minister Nelson McCausland, Acting ACFO Chris Kerr, NIFRS and Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Pat Convery.

September 2010

Sporting extravaganza preparations underway

Hosting the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) in 2013 presents a major opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland on the world stage, says Sports Minister Nelson McCausland.

The Minister was speaking today as he announced that the Northern Ireland Executive has agreed to provide up to £6million to help fund the Games, which are the third largest sporting event in the world.

The Games, which are held biennially, took place in Vancouver in 2009 and are estimated to have contributed £52 million to the regional economy.  The next Games in 2011 will be held in New York around the 10^thanniversary of 9/11 and will conclude with the handover of the WPFG flag to Belfast in a spectacular closing ceremony in Times Square.

This sporting extravaganza will provide serving and retired police officers, firefighters, prison officers and customs officers from over 50 different countries an opportunity to showcase their athletic excellence in over 65 events. As well as the sporting benefits, the Games will provide a boost to tourism, the economy and promote the reputation of law officers at home and abroad.

Speaking at Newforge Country Club, Minister McCausland said: “In giving its support the Northern Ireland Executive has recognised that we have attracted an event of major significance and scale, and that the Games present us with a unique opportunity to demonstrate to the world that Northern Ireland is moving forward.

“The event is expected to attract up to 10,000 competitors accompanied by a similar number of family and friends from all over the world and will be the biggest sporting event ever hosted in Northern Ireland.

“The Games will showcase Northern Ireland as a venue for major sporting occasions, as a tourist destination, as a place to do business and as a place which can extend a warm welcome to the thousands of competitors and their families, who are set to converge here in the Summer of 2013.

“The Games will also be an opportunity to build on the legacy of Northern Ireland’s contribution to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Also, with Londonderry hosting the UK City of Culture in 2013, it will truly be a great year for Northern Ireland.”

Dame Mary Peters, Patron to the 2013 World Police and Fire Games said: “To win the bid to host the 2013 World Police and Fire Games was a wonderful achievement in itself forNorthern Ireland. Now that we have the support of the Northern Ireland Executive and Belfast City Council this will allow the small team who are involved with planning the delivery of the Games to move forward with new found enthusiasm.”

A 2013 WPFG Stakeholder Group chaired by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure along with representatives from the PSNI, NI Fire and Rescue Service, NI Prison Service, Belfast City Council and Sport NI have been managing the project since winning the bid in March 2007.

However, it is now envisaged that a new structure will shortly be in place. A Company Limited by Guarantee will be established and a Board of Directors for the Company be appointed. This new Company will be responsible for delivering the 2013 Games and creating a legacy effect. Belfast City Council will provide the Chair for the Board and all three services will be represented on the Board.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Pat Convery added:“I am delighted that the Northern Ireland Executive has agreed to give their support to the Games. This will now allow Belfast City Council in conjunction with the other Stakeholders to take forward the planning of the Games, which would not only benefit the people of Belfast, but would provide opportunities for all of Northern Ireland.”

Additional Notes

1. The 2013 World Police and Fire Games will be held from Thursday 1 August to Saturday 10 August 2013.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. The Games last for 10 days and include a wide range of individual and team sports such as athletics, football, swimming, rugby, field and ice hockey, shooting, rowing tennis, golf, 10 pin and lawn bowls, Gaelic games and cycling.
   
   
4. The number of competitors ranges from 7,000 – 10,000 and come from all over the world with a large influx expected from North and South America, Australia, New Zealand and mainland Europe.
   
   

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