Firefighters celebrate NAIDOC week with Touch Football Competition
Published: 6th July 2017
A team of 12 Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters took part in Campbelltown City Council’s NAIDOC Week Touch Football Competition at Benham Oval, Minto on Wednesday 5 July.
The all-star team of Indigenous players went head-to-head with teams from across the local area, including the NSW Police Campbelltown Local Area Command.
Firefighter and team Captain Michael Lett said the team enjoyed participating at the annual community event.
“This is the third year running we have participated in the NAIDOC week football competition and each year we have gone from strength-to-strength,” he said.
“Many of the players in our team are graduates of the Indigenous Fire & Rescue Employment Strategy (IFARES) program and proudly support NAIDOC Week.
“It’s a great bonding exercise for our team players and a fantastic opportunity to interact with other football teams and the local Campbelltown community.”
Firefighters also shared winter fire safety tips and provided visitors with an opportunity to see fire trucks and firefighting equipment up close.
Metropolitan South Zone Commander, Acting Superintendent Michael Jay said FRNSW was proud to be involved in significant cultural events that recognise and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“The competition was a unique opportunity for our local firefighters to celebrate together and contribute to the preservation of Aboriginal culture,” he said.
“It is events such as these that bring people together through education and understanding and give our firefighters a chance to connect with the community.”