NSW Fire Sport History

The Board of Fire Commissioners established a Sports Council in 1934 for the purpose of coordinating and encouraging the various sporting activities of the service. Chief Officer George Grimmond was made the Chairman of the Sports Council and Deputy Chief Officer Charles Richardson was made the Vice Chairman. At that time most firefighters participated or were encouraged to participate in physical activities. There are photographs of NSWFB Rugby teams dating back to the 1920’s and 30’s. There were also Tug of War competitions and Whaler Boat Rowing teams competing on the harbour at the turn of the century.

A young George Grimmond (future Chief Officer) was the coxswain for the Metropolitan Fire Brigade MFB (NSWFB) whaler boat racing crew from 1904 to 1906. During this time they defeated the sailors from the HMS Torch to secure the title of ‘Champions of the Fleet’.

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The Cricket club started after the First World War and was the most popular club in the early 1920’s. The Rugby club was started in 1928 and was very successful in the 1930’s winning the Kentwell Cup twice. The club also toured around Australia and were undefeated on these tours.

NSWFB also had numerous players in the early Sydney Rugby league 1st Grade competition. Edward James Griffiths (future Chief Officer) played for Eastern Suburbs from 1909-1912, playing alongside the famous Dally Messenger before moving to Western Suburbs in 1913-14. He is recorded in the book ‘Fighting Fire!‘ by Dr Colin Adrien as Sydney’s greatest firefighter.

During the Second World War and the following period the Sports Council waned. It was reformed as the New South Wales Fire Brigades Sports Council on the 3rd September 1980.
It is believed that Deputy Chief Officer Warwick (Buck) Rogers was installed as the new president of the reinvigorated Council. The formation of the Sports Council was formalised in In- Orders 1981/34.

Approval was given to the Sports Council on the 19th February 1981 for full use of the NSW Fire Brigades insignia. Payroll deductions were instigated in in February 1985 allowing for fees to be collected directly from firefighters pays.

The Sports Council became the NSW Fire Brigades Sports Association Inc on the 23rd April 1998 when a new constitution was approved and Incorporation was undertaken. The association changed its name again in 2019 to Fire + Rescue NSW Sports Association Inc. to keep in line with the change in the name of the NSW Fire Brigade.

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Meet our executive committee.

President

Ken Murphy
Vice President

Stuart Sutton
Secretary/Director/Public Officer

Alex Scott
Treasurer

Jacqui McDonald
Director

Terry Farley
Director

Mark Reilly
Assistant Secretary

Joel Grimes
Merchandise Coordinator

Callum Wassell
Assistant Vice President

Simon Macauley
Vice President/Director

Joshua Turner

FRNSW Sports Association is dedicated to facilitating the physical fitness of our members and enjoying comradeship with other emergency service organisations.

When you join the NSW Fire & Rescue Sports Association, you become part of the large FRNSW sporting family (approximately 1,300 members). We regularly compete in events in NSW, Australia and around the world. We also provide financial support for high level FRNSW athletes competing on the national or international arena.

You will get to meet and interact with people from other emergency service agencies both locally and around the world. The Sports association will also provide support in refunding some fees from some games/events   that you can attend and we also provide team uniforms, travel bags and other accessories free of charge to current members.

We currently provide support for members attending the World Police and Fire Games, the World Firefighters Games and the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games.

The Sports association also supports members participating in some local competitions in NSW by assisting with uniforms, equipment and/or cash donations to help cover participation costs.

Membership Costs – Salary Deduction

Annual Membership is typically $52.00 per year

Completing this option means you pay nothing via this website, BUT AUTHORISE the deduction of $2.00 per fortnight from your salary.

Salary deduction comprises of 26 fortnightly payments of $2.00 to total the membership fee of $52.00 per year.

View the Fire + Rescue NSW Sports Association Constitution here.

Our Sponsors

There are a range of of great companies supporting the clubs of Fire + Rescue NSW Sports Association.

Primary Sponsor

Club Sponsors