A new partnership between WNBL team, the Townsville Fire and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services will help promote women’s sport and a career as a firefighter.
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart welcomed the partnership which would benefit both organisations.
“The Townsville Fire is the only professional women’s sports team in North Queensland and is an inspiration to girls throughout the region,” Mr Stewart said.
“This partnership with QFES will help promote women in sport as well as getting more female participation into the firefighting service.
“As a government we’re proud to have one of our most respected services working with one of our most well-known sporting teams in Townsville.”
“I know this partnership is a slam dunk for girls and women throughout the region to help them aim high in whatever they want to do in their futures.”
Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Mark Ryan, is hopeful the partnership will encourage a new generation of girls and women to join QFES.
“As part of this venture, female role models within QFES will mentor girls and women coming through the ranks at Townsville Fire’s Academy and community programs, sharing with them their own experiences working in a fulfilling career as part of Queensland’s emergency services,” Minister Ryan said.
“This is an exciting time for QFES and Townsville Fire, and I look forward to seeing both organisations thrive under this newfound partnership.”
Townsville Fire general manager Sam Pascoe said the Townsville Fire is extremely excited about the new partnership with the QFES.
“Our values are aligned, and we really look forward to working together on our community, our goal is to provide healthy female role models to this region, the QFES are also amazing role models to the region,” she said.
“We look forward to being able to work together throughout this partnership, promote the great opportunities within the QFES in particular for females, but also to be a part of QFES’s great work they do in the community.”
As well as game activities and branding QFES will be provided the opportunity to take part in the JCU Townsville Fire’s programs for youth engagement, community camps and school visits.
JCU Townsville Fire also hosts clinics across regional centres, providing the opportunity for QFES to connect with girls and women in these areas.
QFES Commissioner Greg Leach said the organisation was looking for ways to promote women’s achievements, while providing job and volunteering opportunities.
“This sponsorship will benefit QFES not only through the recruitment of females into permanent roles within Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) but also for volunteer services of SES, Rural Fire Service, and Marine Rescue Queensland,” Mr Leach said.
“QFES Northern Region will identify female role models in our services to participate in programs with the intention of building relationships and to mentor participants in community programs, clinics, and the Fire’s basketball academy.”
United Firefighters Union State Secretary, John Oliver welcomed the partnership.
“Our fire service is recognised as one of the best in the world because we have very high standards when it comes recruitment,” Mr Oliver said.
“This is a positive initiative and one we hope will encourage women interested in joining a challenging career as a professional fire fighter to apply.”
Running seven months a year, the Townsville Fire Academy hosts female basketballers aged 14-18.
As part of the partnership, QFES will be included as an official off-court activity where academy participants can tour a fire station and get direct access to QFES to discuss employment or volunteering opportunities.
The official launch of the QFES and Townsville Fire partnership will be held at the QFES Game Day event on Friday, 20 January at the Fire’s home stadium, Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.
