About 90 school students competed against police officers in the Gunji Origin Reconciliation Cup in Shellharbour. Photo: Kellie O’Brien.
If you think you’ve spotted extra action at local sports grounds this week, you’re not imagining things.
More than 1100 NSW Police and emergency services personnel have descended on the Illawarra to do battle at the 35th NSW Police and Emergency Services Games.
NSW Police and emergency services personnel are competing in more than 30 sports over seven days, from Friday 20 to Friday 27 September in locations across Sydney and the Illawarra.
On Monday 23 September more than 350 emergency services personnel took part in one of the biggest fields of competition in the men’s and women’s soccer, at Ray Robinson Oval, Towradgi.
Destination Wollongong estimates the influx of competitors and their families ahead of the holiday season will bring about one million dollars into the local economy, providing a welcome boost for hospitality businesses after the quiet winter season.
It’s the fifth time the games have come to Wollongong – next year they’re scheduled to be held in Tasmania, but it wasn’t the only sporting event police were involved in in the Illawarra this week.
On Monday 23 September NSW Police officers joined forces with school students from across Lake Illawarra for the annual Gunji Origin Reconciliation Cup.
Launched in 2022, the Gunji Origin Reconciliation Cup aims to bring the community together and help close the gap between the Indigenous community and non-Indigenous community and police.
About 90 school students competed against police officers in a mixed Oztag competition at Myimbarr Community Park, Shellharbour.
A NSW Police spokesperson said ‘Gunji’ was short for the First Nations word ‘Gunjibal’, which was used in place of constable.
Lake Illawarra Police District Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer Glen Sutherland created the event, with the aim of bringing communities together through sport.
“The event is a great opportunity to come together on Dharawal Country Land and be active, while also breaking down any barriers that exist between the community and police, particularly the Indigenous communities,” Glen said.
“We have seen incredible success in the previous years, with students seeing police officers in a different light and building relationships in a more relaxed environment.
“They now feel more comfortable to reach out if they need police and the benefits go well beyond the field, with spectators turning up throughout the day to cheer on their friends and family and engage with local police.”
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