2025 World Police & Fire Games. Birmingham, Alabama
- PSSA Admin
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Between the 26th of June and 6th of July, members from the PSSA (along with a couple of retired HMPPS staff) flew to America to compete in this year’s World Police & Fire Games in Birmingham, Alabama. The team consisted of 12 people who would be making their first Games and international debut. The Games attracted over 8,700 first responders from over 70 different countries. The Games commenced in the 17,000 all seater legacy arena with a spectacular Opening Ceremony that included the athlete’s parade, live performances and speeches from the Mayor of Birmingham, and senior management from the State Police and Fire Service.
There was no rest for PSSA members as the very next day competition started and official practice for many of the sports. First to compete was Roger M in the Road Cycling Sprints. This consisted of 3 heats of 8 riders per heat. Roger raced well in the heats to secure 5 points and his place in the final. Roger couldn’t quite get on the podium for the teams first medal but still a great achievement and the first time he has ever made the final in this his 4th games.
Next up on the Sunday was Simon in the Mountain Bike Short Course and George in Corn Hole. George had stiff competition with over 45 other athletes competing in his age group. George performed well and made it to the quarter finals to finish in a very respectable 8th position. This was the highest finish for anyone from the UK in the Corn Hole competition in the Game’s history.
Down at Oak State Mountain Park things were heating up as the Mountain Bike Short Course started. Simon started strongly sitting in 2nd place for the first few laps and was in the mix up to the finish, only to just miss out on a medal in 4th place.
The next day, Simon was back for the Mountain Biking Long Course. A 15-mile loop around the trails on the park. A slower start for all rolled out thanks to all suffering from the day before but it soon all kicked off with attacks. Simon rode well and in a sprint to the line with two other riders, managed to secure the first medal for the team with a Bronze.
The Golf team also started their competition. Trying to stay cool was the order of the day as mid-day temperatures hit over 35 degrees with humidity in the high 80’s. However, the team played well, and all three pairs were in the medal fight after day one.
Roger returned to racing with the once in a lifetime opportunity to race on the famous Talladega Superspeedway. Today was all about the fast aggressive Crit Race. The venue and 80,000 all seater stand in front of the course made for a brilliant spectacle. Staying out of trouble is always difficult in a Crit Race but with good positioning Roger did well to avoid the mass sprint finish crash, and cross the line in a very respectable 11th.
Day 2 of the Golf was in full swing, and the team continued to press those around them in the leader board. After day two, two of the pairs were in medal positions and in individual medal positions.
Adam was due to start his Track & Field programme today in the late afternoon. But after a very impressive rain and thunder storm the programme was cancelled for the day and he would have to return the following day to compete in both the Shot Put and Discus.
As the team woke up on Wednesday it was a beautiful day and with Women’s Rugby 7’s kicking off, Golf fighting for medals on their last day, Track & Field, and the Cycling Time Trial it was going to be a very busy day. The day started early with Roger in the Cycling Time Trial along the stunning 14-mile ring road around the Oak State Mountain Park. Roger started off setting the fastest first 2 times at the timing check point. He continued to progress well and again setting one of the fastest last 2-mile times to finish in 11th position.
A short dash down the road to see the Women’s Rugby 7’s kick off their competition. With only 8 players it was always going to be a big ask for the team, but they fought bravely against the much bigger American and Canadian teams. The girls never backed down with some massive hits that impressed the locals who were watching Rugby Union for the first time. Moment and Try of the day came from HMPPS and PSSA very own Lauren. Some clever moves led to Lauren receiving the ball on the wing in her own 22. She beat her opposite player and covering player to run the length of the pitch and score under the posts.
At the same time Adam was competing in the Discus. Adam had the difficult task of competing against two Fire Fighters who had been full time American college throwers and one who had represented America at two Olympics. This didn’t put him off and was unlucky to just miss out on a bronze medal by 90 cm. Next, Adam had the Shot Put and now in his flow he threw a PB of 10.15 on his second attempt. On attempt number 5 Adam set another PB of 10.23 to finish his programme. A great set of results on his first appearance at the Games.
The Golf team were finishing off their day 3 and news coming in was they had won 8 medals in total after a brilliant day. They would have to wait until the evening for the results but doing a bit of maths we believed they had won 2 Golds, 3 Silvers and 3 Bronze medals across all competitions. A nervous wait in the Athlete’s Village that evening led to celebrations and the 8 medals were confirmed.
This finished off what had been an amazing World Police & Fire Games for the team, and we now look forward to the build up to the 2027 games in Perth Australia.
For further information on the next Games, please email the PSSA office on: -
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