A CFA member has cleaned up at the World Police and Fire Games in Rotterdam, bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals.
Wendouree Fire Brigade volunteer and West Region Instructor, Rob Foote, has competed in six games over the past eleven years and earned numerous victories along the way.
After being postponed due to the pandemic, the 2021 games were held in July this year in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The biennial games see thousands of competitors from 70 different countries compete in 63 sports and are scheduled to be held again in 2023 in Winnipeg, Canada.
During ten days of competition in July, Rob came away with podium finishes in multiple sports.
- Gold – Rowing (2,000m)
- Silver – Rowing (1,000m)
- Silver – Cross Country – Running (10km)
- Silver – Cross Country – Running Team (10km)
- Bronze – Stair Climb – Full Firefighter Gear (51 floors)
Rob says there’s a large contingent of regular Australian competitors, however there was limited numbers this year, largely due to travel uncertainty post pandemic.
“Australia usually has between 200 and 300 competitors, which dropped to around 50 this year,” Rob said.
“Even so, I was able to catch up with many of the international competitors I’ve met throughout the years at the games.
“That’s one of the main reasons I continue competing, to catch up with all friends I’ve made while enjoying a little healthy competition.”
Even though the world games are finished, Rob won’t have any downtime as he prepares for the Victorian Police and Emergency Services Games and the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games, both of which are scheduled for March 2023.
Rob encourages CFA members to consider signing up for either the Victorian or Australasian games.
“These games are a fantastic opportunity for CFA members to participate in their favourite sport or learn a new one, while making new friends or catching up with old ones.”
Another event on Rob’s busy calendar is the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb, scheduled to be held on Saturday 10 September.
Not only will Rob be climbing 28 floors of Crown Metropol Hotel for Wendouree Fire Brigade, but he is also the volunteer “climb crew” coordinator.
To make a donation and support Rob’s fundraising efforts for the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb, visit www.firefighterclimb.org.au/climber/robertfoote.
