Junior championships to return
Horsham has won the right to host Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria State Urban Junior Championships for the second year running following a successful event at the weekend.
Up to 2000 fire brigade competitors, supporters and officials from across the state descended on Horsham’s B. J. Reither Track in Park Drive for the 2020 championships.
Horsham Fire Brigade member and event vice-president David Hornsby said organisers were celebrating a successful weekend of competition.
“There was a big carnival atmosphere. It was great,” he said.
“We had really good responses about the way the events were run.
“It was the third time we have had the event in Horsham and we are excited to have the opportunity to host it again next year.”
Wimmera teams from Horsham, Stawell, Ararat and Warracknabeal competed in the championships, which involved brigade representatives contesting under-17 and under-14 divisions. Teams competed in wet and dry disciplines with hoses, hydrants and other equipment used on a fire ground.
Mr Hornsby said Wimmera teams acquitted themselves well, with Warracknabeal placing fifth in an under-14 Y-coupling two competitors event.
“To get a place is hard, because you’re competing against so many teams,” he said.
“It’s very different to a sport like football, where you compete over quarters. The events only last a couple of minutes and they are of a very high intensity.
“The kids love it. Once they start doing it, it’s hard to stop them. They’re always asking when we’re training next or when the next competition is.”
About 60 teams from 40 brigades entered the championships.
Mr Hornsby said the brigades were primarily from across Victoria, although occasionally, other states or territories entered teams.
The move paid off for Western Australia’s Harvey Junior Fire Brigade, which won the grand aggregate award.
Melton teams also enjoyed success, with Melton A winning the under-14 aggregate and Melton B claiming the under-17 aggregate.
Mr Hornsby said he looked forward to helping host the 2021 junior championships in Horsham from February 20 to 21.
“It will bring a lot of people to the region again,” he said.
“The place was packed and it was hard to get a meal on Saturday night.
“A fair bit of work goes into organising it, especially in the week leading up to it.
“It took us from Monday to Friday to set up and have everything ready for the kids to compete on Saturday and Sunday.
“We had a lot of people and groups helping out to get it all ready.
“The service clubs also helped us with our barbecue at the weekend and CFA members handed out information.”
Mr Hornsby said the Wimmera’s competition season would wind up in Horsham at the weekend, with District 17 hosting junior and senior events.
The senior teams will then go on to compete in the Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria State Senior Championships at Mooroopna, near Shepparton, on March 28 and 29.