(Submitted photo/Shaun Stewart)

By Ben Tompkins

Winnipeg Bound

Melfort Fire Chief competing in World Police and Fire Games

Jul 27, 2023 | 5:31 PM

A name familiar to those in the northeast area is set to represent the earth’s finest in this year’s World Police and Fire Games (WPFG).

Held biennially, the games are an Olympic-style competition with more than 8,500 athletes representing law enforcement, firefighters, and police officers from more than 50 countries worldwide.

Melfort’s fire chief, Shaun Stewart will be one of those athletes, competing in one of the more than 60 unique sports.

“It is something that I have always wanted to take part in since I started with the fire service back in 1992. At that time paid on-call or volunteer firefighters weren’t allowed to take part, however, that has since changed, which is great. I qualify as a career firefighter and have entered the golf competition,” Stewart told northeastNOW.

This year’s competition begins Friday (July 28) in Winnipeg and runs till August sixth.

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Stewart departed earlier today (Thurs) as he will take part in opening ceremonies before golfing three rounds on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

He will golf at Bridges Golf Course in Starbuck, Breezy Bend Country Club in Headingly, and Elmhurst Golf and Country Club in Springfield.

“I’m nervous and excited to be getting to be part of it, with it being so close to home, this was a perfect opportunity to take in the experience of the games. First or 101st in the competition doesn’t matter to me, I am getting to take part in something I have wanted to do for over 30 years, and if I play well, I will do ok,” added Stewart.

The competition is scored on a handicap system, which Stewart hopes will entice all skill levels to be there and have a great time.

Through the winter, he was using the local golf simulator to train and as soon as the Melfort course opened, he has been training there a minimum of three times a week, putting, chipping, and putting in time on the driving range.

Stewart golfing. (submitted photo/Shaun Stewart)

“I have been lucky that my family is totally supporting me and pushing me to get out and golf full rounds during the week, and I am looking forward to playing on some great courses all around Winnipeg,” Stewart explained.

“Even more than that I am looking forward to meeting other people from Emergency Services from across the world, learning about their city or town and getting to tell them about how amazing Melfort and Saskatchewan are.”

Founded and hosted several times in the United States, past host countries include Australia, Canada, China, Northern Ireland, Spain, and Sweden.

As a celebration of firefighters and law enforcement worldwide, the size and scope of the WPFG have continued to grow.

Attendance in the games has increased and so has the number of nations involved throughout its history.

The 2011 WPFG in New York holds the current attendance record with more than 16,000 athletes competing in 67 sports from nearly 70 countries.

Meanwhile, more than 10,000 competitors competed in the Chengdu, China Games in 2019, with family and travelling companions, topping the overall attendance past 25,000.

In two years, the WPFG are in Birmingham Alabama, which is somewhere where Stewart has never been.

“Another great opportunity to attend, meet new people, and get to visit a new city and state.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8