Well everyone, time is of the essence and with four months until the start of the 2008 AP&ES Games it is now time to finalise your registration, purchase your Hawaiian Beach Party ticket and step up the intensity of your training!

The aim of the AP&ES Games 2008 is to –

• Encourage and maximise participation of eligible police and emergency service personnel,
• Promote improved health and well-being of police and emergency service personnel through active participation in sport,
• Provide opportunities for sporting competition in a variety of activities catering for a range of age and skill levels,
• Foster camaraderie, friendship, sportsmanship, goodwill and fellowship amongst eligible police and emergency services personnel,
• Enhance the public recognition and professionalism of police and emergency services personnel through their active involvement in sport.

To register for these Games is very simple. Registration is only via online at www.apandesgames.com. As numbers in some sports are limited we encourage you not to leave registration to the last minute.

To view details regarding each specific event, log onto the Games Official website and click on ‘Online Registration Book’. This book has the contact details for all Coordinators.

If you are have any questions that the website can not answer please contact Penni Wallington on 0418 394 998 or Jim Prendergast on 0417 291 247.

See you on the Coffs Coast in October!

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Between the 19th and 24th of October 2008 in Coffs Harbour, the NSW Police Basketball Club Inc. will be hosting the 30th Australasian Police Basketball Championships proudly sponsored by Members Equity Bank.

In 1978 a group of NSW Police invited a team of Victorian Police to challenge them in a basketball game at the Alexandria Basketball Stadium. The Victorians arrived at Central by train where they were met by the New South Welshmen. Accommodation had been organised for the Victorians at the Rex Hotel in Kings Cross. The game was hotly contested with NSW coming out winners by 3 points. Because of the success of the first game, the Championships were born the next year with the South Australian Police and Australian Federal Police also attending.

For reason of the continued high level of competition and unequalled social aspect, these Championships have grown to include state teams from across Australia and the New Zealand men’s and women’s national teams. Over 200 players and officials attend. Our Championships are a premier single discipline international police sporting event recognised by Basketball Australia and Basketball NSW. Few other individual police sports could boast this many attendees and such recognition.

Most states have former National Basketball League (WNBL and NBL) plus current and former Australian Basketball Association (ABA) players in their respective teams. The men’s competition is divided into two divisions, allowing for social players to take part. We certainly encourage basketball players of any skill level to attend. The social side of these Championships results in many interstate and international friendships.

Last year, in Brisbane, both the NSW women’s and men’s team were victorious. The women taking out their 6th Championship, the men their 9th.

The opening ceremony will take place about 9:00am on Monday the 20th of October 2008 at Sportz Central, 74A Bray Street, Coffs Harbour. The competition will take place over five days starting on the Monday with the Grand Finals being held on Friday the 24th of October. All members of the NSW Police Council of Sport are welcome to attend. Admission is free. Come and support your state.

We would sincerely like to thank our major sponsor, Members Equity Bank, and our other sponsors, Fairchild Multimedia, the NSW Police Council of Sport and Basketball Australia. Without their support, the success of our championships would be jeopardised.

Brendan Searson
President
NSW Police Basketball Club Inc.