Devon & Somerset firefighters hope to emulate TeamGB's success when they head to 2012's latest major sporting celebration - the World Firefighter Games in Australia this October.

Chris Snook, DSFRS sports and social association secretary said: "Within Devon & Somerset we have the enthusiasm, drive and necessary skills to compete at the World Firefighter Games at a very high level indeed. The Sports & Social Association (SSA) fully recognises and encourages this potential and the unique sporting opportunities the games bring everyone."

Representing Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service this year will be Matt Mason from Special Operations and Dave Cogger from Exeter who both have previous experience at major Emergency Services sports events including the 2010 South Korea WFGs and the Police & Fire Games in New York 2011.

Matt's schedule at Sydney will include one day of deep sea angling on Sunday 21 October, followed by three days of boxing and is looking forward to deliver another gold.

"Following my boxing success in South Korea where I won gold, I was on a definite high, so I was extremely disappointed and frustrated not to be able to enter the boxing in the New York Police and Fire Games 2011 due to a late rule change," he said.

"Sydney will be my very last chance to represent the service in the boxing, a sport that I love and have been involved with for so long now. I would dearly love to emulate my success in South Korea and do my brigade and colleagues proud one more time."

His colleague Dave's events start with Freshwater Angling on Saturday 20, followed by deep sea angling on the Sunday and three days of golf. 

Dave said: "This will be my first year for both freshwater angling at the Sydney international regatta centre and Golf at Bonnie Doone GC, Moore Park GC and St Michaels GC. I am really looking forward to the challenges these new events will bring.

"I was fortunate enough to win four Gold's and a Silver over two days of deep sea angling during the 2008 games in Liverpool and was just out of the medal placing's last year in New York, so would love to regain my title this year. I have put in a fair amount of practice over the last couple of months both on the golf course and fishing in general and feel confident that I can represent Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service to a high standard."

Posted 09/09/12 by richard.hook@pavpub.com