Firefighter Kay ready to ignite Wirral games

Feb 1 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

PAUL KAY is ready to ignite one of Merseyside’s top sporting events this year when the World Firefighter’s Games comes to Wirral.

Not only is Paul a huge part of the preparations, he will also be competing for the Great Britain fire service rugby team against the Great BritainŠ police service in just a few weeks.

Paul,Š30, from Wirral, is based atŠCroxtethŠFire Station and is busy juggling life playing for the Great Britain squad, England fire team, organising the Firefighter Games and life on the job as – yes, you’ve guessed it – a firefighter.

To gain selection for Great Britain, Paul represented England in a round-robin tournament against Wales, Ireland and Scotland international fire services last year.Š

The players adjudged to be the best were then selected for Great Britain for the crunch game against the police.

Paul is hoping he can use events in the coming months asŠ practice for the big kick-off and hopes his experience will help his team-mates defeat his police counterparts.

“It’s the time in my career were I can enjoy the sport, so that should help us,” said Paul.

“I have played for Great Britain a few times now and relish the chance at any fixture when I represent Great Britain or England.”

Another preparation for the games will see PaulŠ play for England against Ireland in Šthe fire service’s version of an international Six Nations in March.

To add to his impressive CV, Paul will also compete for England at the World Firefighter Games in both beach rugby union and rugby sevens.

And that’s where his firefighting colleague Nick McCormack comes in.

Nick, 39, is event manager of the rugby sevens with 16 teams competing, including Australia and New Zealand, at Hoylake beach, Hoylake Rugby Club and Waterloo Rugby Club.

Both Nick and Paul have strong links in rugby and are currently visiting Merseyside schools promoting rugby.

“It’s great to encourage youngsters to become involved in rugby as the discipline is so different than football, which is what most kids want to play or get into,” said Nick.

“There is a wide range of sport and games that will take place throughout the tournament, from arm wrestling to chess to rugby.”

Rugby on the beach will take place on August 27, rugby sevens onŠAugust 29 and the finals on August 30.

With excitement already growing and teams already submitting entry to both rugby events, Paul thinks it willŠ be fantastic for the city Šas it grows into its culture year.

Paul added: “It’s a great opportunity for Liverpool, the public and everyone involved.

“We just want to have a great couple of days, it’s a chance to enjoy something where people will gather from all over the world, including local families and members of communities.”

The beach rugby event will be non-contact with players wearing velcro belts in teams of five playing in 10-minute games.

Rugby sevens is full contact rugby, with three substitutes allowed, during seven minutes each half, with competition expected to be much more serious than the non-contact beach format.

Paul will represent England in the sevens and is looking to win but expects stiff competition from a strong Welsh squad.

He said: “All our lads have played national league rugby and semi pro rugby and we will be in a strong position when August comes.ŠIt should be good for firemen to showcase their sporting talents.”

Liverpool fought off strong competition from Dubai and Northern Ireland to win the honour to host the 2008 Games. The £142million Liverpool Echo Arena and Convention Centre on the city’s World Heritage waterfront will effectively become the ‘Games Village’ for 10 days, where WFG08 will host a spectacular opening ceremony.

WFG08 general manager Dave Robinson said: “We have a very exciting sporting and social programme lined up and can promise 10 days to remember. We look forward to giving a warm Liverpool welcome.”