Firefighters from across the world have been keen to throw their support behind the Games, and have been busy preparing to excel in their chosen competitions during the 10-day event, which takes place between August 24 and September 2.

With incentives such as over 70 sporting events, budget accommodation, a packed social programme, discount travel pass and an all-new Team UK tracksuit, competitor entries have been flooding in for this exciting festival of sport and camaraderie.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service is extremely proud to be hosting the 10th World Firefighters Games as its contribution towards the city’s European Capital of Culture celebrations, and has set itself the mammoth task of staging the biggest and most successful Games in WFG’s 20-year history.

Liverpool is a fantastic visitor destination with plenty for families to do and see during their time at the Games, and Merseyside fought off strong competition from Dubai and Northern Ireland to win the bid to host the 2008 Games.

The Games offer 73 sporting and unique events in 43 fantastic venues focused mainly in and around Liverpool city centre, but stretching out as far as North Wales, Manchester and Derbyshire - making it a real North West experience. At the time of going to press, WFG08 had more than 3,000 firefighters registered from more than 30 countries worldwide – and organisers are confident that the numbers will continue to rise.

A large number of travelling competitors will be accompanied by their families, and the event is estimated to give a £2.8 million economic boost on the city and surrounding areas. So much so, WFG08 is working with The Mersey Partnership to accommodate visitors, and indeed 1,000 hotel beds and 2,300 beds in student halls of residence across the city were provisionally booked – making the Games affordable for all.

There are a number of ways that WFG08 is working to make the Games affordable for all budgets. For just £300, firefighters can enjoy the whole Games experience – that’s 10 days budget accommodation, one-off registration fee and a transport pass.

Accommodation is available from just £20 per night (families can be catered for) in and around the city centre, so competitors will be based just a stone’s throw from their sporting events. Competitor registration is a set price of £95, and for this competitors can take part in as many events as possible – or as many as they can fit in! And at a dramatically reduced price from £40 to just £5, competitors can buy a transport pass, enabling them to travel to and from all competition venues.

Firefighters will compete at world-class venues across Liverpool and the North West region, including the city’s new £164 million Liverpool Echo Arena (the Official Games Village), Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool Football Club’s Training Academy and the brand new Liverpool Aquatics Centre which boasts an Olympic-size swimming pool. Out of town host venues include Chill Factore in Manchester and Rivington Pike in Bolton.

Thousands of competitors are expected to arrive in the city for the 10-day extravaganza, with registrations already received from across Europe as well as others from as far afield as Brazil, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand and America.

Excitement has been steadily rising, and the 100-day countdown to the Games was marked by an international rugby union game on Merseyside between Great Britain Fire Service and Ireland Police.

The Games have already turned into success story with WFG08 organisers delighted with the amount of competitor registrations, the event is on course to raise a staggering £100,000 for charity, and almost 1,000 people have already signed up to become WFG08 Volunteers.

WFG08 General Manager Dave Robinson commented: “Liverpool is a city steeped in history and culture, and what a perfect time to come and experience it all for yourself. We want to welcome you to our city, come and share what is going to be an amazing and unforgettable World Firefighters Games 2008.

“It is our intention to make this the most successful World Firefighters Games ever but we need your support to make this happen – compete, cheer on your colleagues, or just come along and watch this spectacle in our wonderful city. We have a very exciting sporting and social programme lined-up, and can definitely promise you 10 days to remember. We look forward to giving you a warm Liverpool welcome.”

MF&RS is leading the way in 2008 – by being the first World Firefighters Games hosts to encourage people with disabilities to participate, meaning there will be events to suit all abilities in both individual and team sports. WFG08 has also introduced a range of new and exciting events to the programme including the Iron Dog competition, boxing and equestrian event. These competitions are complemented by popular sports such as football, golf, swimming, tennis, triathlon and athletics, which line-up alongside a whole host of niche sports including chess, darts, poker, horse shoe, dragon boat racing and snowboarding – a very varied events programme for competitors.

However, the showcase event will be the Toughest Firefighter Alive (TFA) competition, the ultimate test of a firefighter’s strength, fitness and stamina. This will be fought on the historic St George’s Plateau with the gruelling stair-run up St John’s Beacon (the Radio City Tower) – that’s 550 steps and 150 metres in height.

The Games will start with two accreditation days on August 23 and 24, followed by a spectacular Olympic-style Opening Ceremony on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25, at the Official Games Village – the city’s brand new £164 million Liverpool Echo Arena. This takes place on the same day as Liverpool’s renowned Mathew Street Festival, giving competitors and visitors the chance to join in the fun in the city centre once the Games have been opened.

The Opening Ceremony will be a free public event watched by thousands of spectators, and will set the scene for the 10 days. In the lead-up to the official opening, a parade will circle the Arena led by the Irish Guards. It will also feature fire-related vehicles through the ages, a procession of competitors and their flag bearer all proudly wearing their nation’s colours. This will all be complemented by the first-ever “Hey Jude” Sing-Along.

Once inside the Arena, a packed audience will enjoy a variety of music and entertainment including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra who will perform a world premiere of a piece commissioned specially for WFG08!

The WFG08 would not be complete without endless opportunities to meet up with friends, old and new, and celebrate  successes. A packed social programme includes the Welcome Gala Dinner, Mathew Street Extravaganza in the home of The Beatles, Next Host Night with South Korea, Combat Finals Night, Millionaire’s Club Casino Night, Final Goodbye Gala Dinner – and a trip to Liverpool wouldn’t be complete without a Ferry party on the River Mersey.

A major goal of the Games is to create lasting legacies so important work can continue long after the final medals have been won, one project is the WFG08 Charity Fund. WFG08 is a non-profit making event, and the Games are on course to raise a massive £100,000 for charity. Any funds remaining once the Games have closed will be split equally between seven charities.

One of the major fundraising initiatives is the Chiefs’ Challenge, taking place half-way through the Games. This event is open to any chief, from Chief Fire Officers to Chief Executives. The challenge will see chiefs travel 8.08km along the Liverpool waterfront however they choose – walking, running, cycling or even on horseback – while pledging to raise £1,000 for charity.

An army of dedicated volunteers will play a major role in delivering a successful World Firefighters Games 2008. Everton Football Club is on-board as the WFG08 Volunteer Partner, and voluntary roles include meeting and greeting competitors, looking after the VIPs, driving and administration. Training, uniform and a volunteer handbook will be provided.

MF&RS Chief Fire Officer Tony McGuirk commented: “The World Firefighters Games 2008 is the biggest project that Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service has ever attempted. The Games are going to be a massive boost for Liverpool, and we are thrilled to be hosting this major event during such a special celebratory year. We already have 3,000 firefighters booked to arrive in the city to compete and we expect many more, and we are delighted to have secured the best venues to showcase sport in our city. We look forward to meeting you all at the Games.”
For more information, visit www.wfg08.com.

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