2025 Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games in Hobart

Kylie on the winners' podium

 

Thirty members represented CFA at the recent 2025 Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games for a week of fierce but friendly competition.

 

This year’s games brought together more than 2,000 competitors across almost 60 sports, with more than 5,000 medals awarded.

From traditional events to the hugely popular virtual reality zombie taser competition (where more than 500 competitors test their zombie-stopping skills), the spirit of the games was on full display.

Competitors came from far and wide, including:

• 2,072 emergency services colleagues from mainland Australia
• 216 international competitors from New Zealand (197) and the Cook Islands (19)
• 432 Tasmanian competitors, including 153 from DPFEM
• 13 members from CFA.

Beyond the medals and trophies, these games were about camaraderie, teamwork, and wellbeing. Taking time to stay active, connect, and support each other is crucial – not just for competition, but for the work we do every day.

The CFA team batted above its average taking home many medals, including:

James Scullin (FRV) – bronze medal in lawn bowls - singles, held at Sandy Bay Bowls Club.

Kylie Findley (VST/Orbost Fire Brigade/Peer Support) – gold medal in powerlifting. 

Nigel Anderson (Balnarring brigade) – 

• gold in indoor row 100m 
• gold in hill race
• silver in indoor row 200m
• silver in indoor row 500m

Jeremy Watts (Tower Observer/Shepparton Fire Brigade and Peer Support) – swimming

• gold in men's 35-39 100m breaststroke
• silver in men's 35-39 50m breaststroke
• silver in men's 35-39 50m freestyle
• silver in men's 35-39 50m backstroke
• silver in men's 35-39 4 x 50m freestyle
• bronze in men's 35-39 4 x 50m medley relay

Anthony Schultz (Willow Grove Fire Brigade)

• gold in 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 100m backstroke 
• silver in 200m indoor row, 50m breaststroke, 200m individual medley
• bronze in men's 35-39 4 x 50m medley relay (With Jeremy Watts)

Kyle Cozens (Romsey Fire Brigade) – swimming

• gold in 100m breaststroke
• silver in 200m individual medley, 4x50m men's freestyle relay - Victorian team, 50m breaststroke, 50m butterfly, 800m freestyle
• bronze in 50m backstroke, 4x50m mixed freestyle relay - Victorian team, 4x50m men's medley relay - Victorian team', 4x50m mixed medley relay - Victorian team

Jeremy Watt, Anthony Schultz and Kyle Cozens teamed up with a member from Border Force to compete in the men's 4 x 50m freestyle relay, finishing in second place. They also grabbed third place in the men's 4 x 50m medley relay.  

“I had a blast competing and making connections in Hobart,” Jeremy said.

“I had a wonderful experience in Hobart with beautiful weather and a huge sports and week-long social event," Nigel said. “I competed in indoor rowing and teamed up with athletes from interstate for fun and additional motivation. I won two silver and a gold.

“I also competed in the stair race, a gruelling 15 degree gradient up the side of a hill. I gave it my all and just won gold over my competitors by one second.

“Indoor rowing is a great fitness challenge that simulates rowing in a boat but without getting wet and cold. A sport in its own right, it now features in the Emergency Services Games from state level to World Games. In Hobart competitors were able to participate in three distance events: 200m, 500m, and 1,000m. My tally was silver in the 200m, silver in the 500m, and gold in the 1,000m. 

“Afterwards we had a few drinks together, collected our medals, and all went out for dinner.”

The next games will take place in Queensland.

 

Submitted by	Kylie Findley