Warwick officers preparing for Queensland Police Service memorial round footy clash
Meet the Southern Downs officers swapping their badges for footy boots as they prepare to compete in the Queensland Police Service rugby league round, all for a good cause.
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Six police officers from the Southern Downs will compete in this year’s Queensland Police Service rugby league round in Brisbane, and it’s for a great cause.
Across three games the Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold Memorial Day will feature officers from across the state competing to raise money for a remembrance fund to honour the two police officers who tragically died in duty at Wieambilla, near Chinchilla, last year.
The impressive roster from the Rose City and surrounds include a current NRLW player and a member of a father-son firefighting duo.
Former Stanthorpe Gremlins player Detective Senior Constable Matt Hendry has represented his local side since his first carnival nine years ago and describes it as always an absolute honour to represent the region he calls home.
“It’s also going to be an honour representing the QPS legends team, even though I don’t think I’ve earnt that status,” Senior Constable Hendry said.
“Other than representing the QPS state side, this is as big as it gets for me and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it – thanks to those who put this all together and made it possible.
“The annual carnivals are always a chance for QPS employees to de-stress, promote positive mental health and catch up with mates across the state that they haven’t seen for some time.”
Senior Constable Hendry said the memorial games would give officers a chance to pay respects to Constables McCrow and Arnold, and everyone else involved which means the world to the policemen and women playing.
“Other than honouring the fallen officers, getting the opportunity to play against legends who represented their state and country that I watched and admired as a child, I’m pinching myself.”
Meet the Southern Downs’ top cops and find out when all the action kicks off
Senior Constable Steph Hancock
Location: Killarney
Job: Watch House Senior Constable
Game: Womens
Constable Steph McConnell
Location: Warwick
Job: General duties officer
Game: Womens
Detective Senior Constable Matt Hendry
Location: Logan
Job: Detective
Game: Legends
Detective Senior Constable Jim Doyle
Location: Warwick
Job: CIB Detective
Game: Dream Team v All Stars
Ben Sullivan
Location: Warwick
Job: Warwick QFRS
Game: Dream Team v All Stars
Plain Clothes Senior Constable Tony Chandler (Coach)
Location: Warwick
Job: Warwick Child Protection and Investigation Unit
Game: Dream Team v All Stars
Game times:
1pm – QPSWRL Dream Team v QPSWRL All Stars – Women. Both teams include sworn and unsworn QPS staff, as well as current and former NRLW stars.
2pm – Arthur Beetson Foundation Immortals (retired NRL stars) v QPS Legends (former greats of the QPSRLA)
3.30pm – QPS Dream Team v QPS All Stars – both teams will consist of officers from the Southern Region and Greater Brisbane Area including former NRL players and friends of Rachel and Matthew
Tickets can be purchased here while all the action will be available live and free on Channel 9.
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