First responders to honour fallen comrades

Published 1:30am 23 August 2024

Words by Ashleigh Howarth

More than 500 firefighters and police officers from across the state will swap their uniforms and boots for football jerseys and joggers when they go head-to-head in a little friendly competition as part of the upcoming 9/11 Commemorative Sports Day.

All the fun and rivalry will be held at the South Pine Sports Complex on Saturday, September 7, with 11 sporting matches being held between 8.30am-7pm.

Now in its 13th year, the sports day is held in memory of the thousands of people - including emergency services personnel - who lost their lives when terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes.

Two of the planes struck the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York, causing them to collapse, one crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, while the fourth crashed into an empty field in western Pennsylvania.

Event organiser Cameron Mackenzie, who is a firefighter based on the Sunshine Coast, says the day is all about reflection and camaraderie.

“During the September 11 attack, more than 400 firefighters and police officers lost their lives in the line of duty,” Cameron says.

“As a firefighter myself, I believe it is important we honour and remember not only those American officers, but also other officers that have been killed here at home.

“We all work in very stressful situations, and don’t always get the chance to catch up outside of work, so this commemorative sports day is also an opportunity for us and our families, partners, and children to bond.

“During the matches, there is a little bit of rivalry, but it’s all in good nature because we have a lot of respect for each other.

“We also get to meet so many different people who we might not have ever met before if it wasn’t for sport.”

The day has even received international recognition, with a number of our brave heroes also taking the event to New York in 2019.

“We went in 2019 and played in Brooklyn against a Queensland police team who also travelled over,” Cameron says.

“We then paid our respects at Ground Zero in the 9/11 parade and visited many firehouses in and around New York.

“The FDNY, or Fire Department New York, lost 343 firefighters on September 11, and their Gridiron Team, who are called 'FDNY Bravest’, lost 22 players out of their team.

“We wear the Bravest logo on our sleeve, and the number 343 on our chest in their honour.

“One of their team managers is coming over to attend the event for the first time, to be a part of it.”

The Facebook event has even received plenty of comments from Americans thanking the Queenslanders for their support.

With a jam-packed day planned, Cameron says it will be a fun day out for families.

“There will be lots of displays, fire trucks, police cars, rides, music, giveaways and fireworks,” Cameron says.

“The day will be a great day out for families, so come on down and support your first responders.”

The commemorative sports day also hold a significant place in the hearts of Queensland Police Officers.

Queensland Police Service Rugby League Association Executive Committee Member Chris Donovan says the day “serves as a powerful reminder of our shared commitment to protecting our communities”.

“The 9/11 Commemorative Sports Day is a reminder of the bond between first responders. While there’s a bit of rivalry on the field, the respect we hold for each other runs deep,” Chris says.

"Being part of this event allows us to honour the lives of those lost. It’s about reflection, remembrance, and celebrating the strength of our emergency services community.

"In policing, we’re constantly working under pressure, and this sports day gives us a rare opportunity to come together, outside of work, and foster relationships that make our team even stronger."

The event is proudly supported by the United Firefighter Union Queensland and the QPU Queensland Police Union.