Aussie Aussie Aussie! Ow Ow Ow!

Everyone who has competed in World Police & Fire Games has a story, and it seems that the Australians have some of the most colorful and humorous ways to tell them. Alan Lerpiniere, who works for Aviation Fire Rescue in Sydney, has been a formidable competitor in multiple WPFG sports for more than 20 years. In 2023, he captured 2nd place in the Toughest Competitor Alive (TCA) Individual Men 50+ category and contributed to a gold medal win for his Barbarian Old Boys Rugby 7's - Men’s 45+ team.

“The camaraderie that is found amongst all the competitors...it’s really wonderful,” he says. “It’s fierce competition in the arena, but there’s real support for each other as well. I enjoy the opportunity to travel and make lifelong friendships with people from all over the globe - and have a fantastic time doing it.”

Alan has many stories to tell, but the one that stands out in his mind involved a serious injury he sustained during the Barcelona Games in 2003 that he places a funny spin on. “Never come home with a torn groin muscle and try to explain to your wife you got it playing rugby!” he exclaims. “I tore the groin muscle off the bone playing rugby, went to the hospital and found it very hard to explain to the triage nurse what had happened,” he continues. “I showed her my ‘damaged goods’ and the "discolorations" that had occurred, and after the initial shock and awe the injury had caused to me it was concluded there was nothing could be done. I then departed the hospital and returned to watch my team achieve a bronze medal!”

The Aussie feels his sporting activities help preserve his fitness, declaring, “As age progresses, I think it is important to provide a strong demonstration that fitness is not governed by age but by the willingness to compete against ageing!”

Alan is still on the job and came from a lifeguard background. He says it was a "natural progression" into a full time first responder career. “There are good and bad days, but overall I enjoy the camaraderie of the job, the opportunity to provide a truly valuable service to the community, and to receive true job satisfaction from doing something you love.”

Alan plans to compete in the TCA, Indoor Rowing, Dodgeball and possibly Pickleball at the 2025 World Police & Fire Games in Birmingham. Come out and cheer him on!

By Del Moon