Lifestyle & Entertainment
17 September, 2025
Emergency services gear up for state games
REGIONAL emergency services workers are being encouraged to get involved in this year’s Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games, with basketball to be staged in Ballarat for the very first time.
In addition to Victoria Police, the Games are open to all sectors of emergency response, including the CFA, SES, Ambulance Victoria, and other organisations.
“We’re really encouraging people to get involved across all the emergency services sector so it’s not just police, it’s CFA, SES, Ambulance,” Acting Sergeant Nick Sorich, Sport Coordinator for the Games, said.
“It’s a really good opportunity to meet people you work with across all the different sectors, it’s a fun day.”
The 2025 Games mark the 44th year of the event, which has grown into one of the biggest sporting gatherings for police and emergency service personnel in the state.
More than 4,000 participants are expected to compete across 42 sports and 178 individual events.
Acting Sergeant Sorich, who is based in Ararat, said he was particularly excited about the Basketball competition this year hoping it will bring more country-based competitiors.
“I am really hoping to get regional emergency service workers involved this year as we are bringing the competition to Ballarat. For the last several years, the competition has mainly been run in Melbourne, which has made it very difficult for regional workers to get involved,” he said.
The decision to expand into Ballarat is expected to be a significant step in attracting more country participants.
“We are trying to drum up the support, this year we are bringing it out regional, we are really trying to get Ararat, Stawell and Horsham emergency services involved,” he said.
The basketball competition is expected to be a major drawcard, with Selkirk Stadium in Ballarat set to host around 300 players across several divisions.
“We would love to see Regional Victoria represented in our competition!” Acting Sergeant Sorich said.
Each year, organisers set new goals for the Games, and 2025 will focus on three key aims: increasing female participation, boosting involvement from regional personnel, and lifting participation rates among smaller emergency organisations.
“We have also seen a lift in the smaller emergency organisation’s participation rates. We still have work to do, but each year the competition gets better and better!” Acting Sergeant Sorich said.
Registrations for the basketball tournament and other events remain open until September 29. More information can be found at www.emergencyservicesgames.org.au
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