Six months of tough training is finally coming to a climax for four Belfast-based firefighters. AWorld Police and Fires Games athletics challenge looms large for the Northern ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NiFRS) 4x400m relay team.
The team comprises Matthew Kelly, Paul McCleland, Brendan McConville and ian Neely from Knock Fire Station and NiFRS headquarters. NiFRS team captain McConville has competed at the highest level in decathlon, featuring in several Commonwealth Games and five European Championships.
He also captained Team GB twice at European Cup competitions and fills the role of both mentor and coach for the NiFRS team.
Another elite athlete is ian Neely, a five-time Ni 400m hurdles champion who has also competed at irish international level and claimed an irish Championship medal.
"inspired by both Brendan and ian's determination to get on the
WPFG podium, my colleague Paul McCleland and myself felt the Games would give us a fabulous opportunity to set ourselves a real challenge," said team-mate Kelly.
While McCleland and Matthew Kelly don't have a background in athletics, the duo have taken on some serious training both individually and as a team to ensure the relay team have an excellent change of a medal.
"Paul has undertaken a marathon training regime and completed this year's Belfast Marathon in 3.5 hours,'' added Kelly.
Since then, his training has changed to a sprint training programme.
"i've been working hard following a general athletics training schedule and, as a team, we've been meeting up regularly at the Mary Peters Track to ensure we gel as a team.
"i've competed in a number of 10K road races, but on starting my training programme for the WPFG 4x400m relay i've taken part in various local athletics meets and have taken five seconds off my 400m PB (personal best).
"While Paul, Brendan and ian qualify for the over-30 category, we have to enter the Open relay event because i'm under 30. So hopefully we're all physically and mentally fit enough to take on the competition.
"We've heard the Chinese team will be tough to beat. Brazil and india also have strong teams and we believe the PSNi may be entering. But they boys will be giving it our all to achieve our ambition of a podium place.
"We've already received a lot of support from colleagues, friends and family and have also been fortunate enough to gain team kit sponsorship from Lisburn-based innovative eco-energy provider, Daly Renewables, and we'd like to thank MD Ryan Daly for his help."
Team captain Brendan McConville will also enter the WPFG decathlon event and, as a relay team, the NiFRS fire fighters will take to the Mary Peters Track on Monday, August 5 at 1.15pm. The WPFG Track and Field events start today (Friday August 2). Entry is free and spectators are welcome to go along and watch all the action. Visit www.2013wpfg for up-to-date sports schedules and information.