Championships win
Horsham has won another opportunity to host Victorian junior fire-brigade titles, which attract hundreds of competitors and their families from across the state.
Horsham Fire Brigade member David Hornsby confirmed 2020 Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria State Junior Championships would return to Horsham next February.
He said Horsham won the right to stage the titles after applying last year.
“Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria and Country Fire Authority jointly run the championships and this will be the third time we’ve had the honour of hosting the event,” he said.
Mr Hornsby said Horsham had previously hosted the titles in 2015 and 2013 and on both occasions competitors had to contend with hot conditions as well as tough opposition.
“It involves up to 60 teams and brings a couple of thousand people into town for the two days of competition,” he said.
“It’s a feather in the cap for Horsham. We did a great job the last two times the championships were in Horsham and we’re happy to do it again.
“It’s a lot of work for the brigade, but we have an enthusiastic committee and we’ll be chasing public support during the next 12 months to get it up and running.” Fire brigade championships are based around time trials where competitors race against the clock in a variety of ‘dry and wet’ disciplines that simulate a fire-fighting response.
“It’s all designed around skilfully working with the equipment you use on fire ground. Becoming a competitor is about learning those skills,” Mr Hornsby, Horsham junior assistant coach, said. Before contemplating next year, teams have been busy preparing for 2019 junior state championships in Kerang this weekend.
The following Saturday, Horsham will get a test run with CFA Region 17 titles, featuring Wimmera and Western District teams, at home at Horsham’s B. J. Reither Track on Park Drive.