Corrections Officers Mike Edwards and Patrick (Patty) O’Keeffe have done New Zealand proud by winning bronze medals at the prestigious 2007 World Police and Fire Games in Australia in March.
Mike and Patty were members of the NZ Touch Rugby Open Men’s Team - the only New Zealand team to win a medal at the games. The team was comprised of NZ Police and Corrections officers, with the majority of the players from the Canterbury Region.
The games attracted over 8000 international law enforcement officers from 60 countries. With over 50 different codes represented, the games are one of the largest sporting events in the world, and the standard is similar to Commonwealth and Olympic level.
Mike and Patty's medals now adorn the walls of their units at Rolleston Prison and Christchurch Prison. Mike, who co-captained the team, says he’ll be going for gold at the next games in British Colombia in 2009.
"Next time I’d like to win with a full Corrections Department team!" he says.
To be eligible for the games, entrants must be sworn officers of the Department of Corrections, New Zealand Police, New Zealand Fire Service or New Zealand Customs. Corrections staff must also be able to pay their own way to get to the games.
If you’re a Corrections officer and you’re interested in representing Corrections in sevens rugby or touch rugby (men’s or mixed) at the 2009 games, please contact Mike Edwards at Rolleston Prison.
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ISSN 1178-8453