Army and Fire partnership based on shared values
The commander of 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Scott Winter, has thrown his support behind the JCU Townsville Fire ahead of tomorrow night’s Hoops For Troops clash against Bendigo.
Ahead of the 2017/18 WNBL season, the Fire unveiled the Australian Army as a major partner, with the organisations agreeing to a strategic alignment based on shared values.
Our great community partners. Leadership is all about character and values, and the Fire have these qualities in spades. I’ll be there courtside tomorrow @SuzyBatkovic @33Clo watching and learning #inspirational #hoopsfortroops https://t.co/2wWnnUJkrA
— Brigadier Dave McCammon (@3BrigadeTSV) November 28, 2018
Townsville is the largest garrison city in Australia and the Army plays a significant role across North Queensland, while the Fire has established itself as one of the region’s most trusted – and respected – brands, providing positive, healthy female role models.
The Fire participate in more than 100 community engagement and school-based activities per annum which is overseen by championship heroes Mia Murray and Rachael McCully.
With the Fire poised to play in a specially commissioned camouflage uniform for their Hoops For Troops fixture, which includes free entry for all defence personnel, Brigadier Winter said he could not speak more highly of the relationship the two organisations had cultivated.
“We don’t let just anyone wear the Rising Sun badge,” Brigadier Winter said.
“But I get a particular sense of pride every time I see this team run out on the park…there’s so much we have to learn from this organisation.
“On that spirit that a rising tide lifts all boats, our relationship with the Fire has reaped enormous benefits for all of us.
“Leadership is not about the uniform that you wear – it is about character.”
With Suzy Batkovic just 19 points away from dislodging Rachael Sporn as the Chemist Warehouse WNBL’s greatest ever scorer, the Fire captain said it was an honour to take the floor and pay her respects to the servicemen and women who protect our nation.
READ| The JCU Townsville Fire are battle-ready ahead of their annual Hoops For Troops clash against Bendigo! Check out full details —> https://t.co/4MmewnJAwX #FireUpTowsville pic.twitter.com/1kucfPih09
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) November 27, 2018
Batkovic has been a regular on base at Lavarack Barracks in recent years and has been able to share her leadership traits with a raft of personnel.
“It’s always an honour to be on base mixing with our servicemen and women,” Batkovic said.
“I got a real thrill seeing the tanks as we drove in – it’s giving me goose bumps just thinking about it – but to understand the sacrifice that they make to defend our freedom is something that we’re all mindful of.
“It’s not a right – but a privilege – to be able to wear the Rising Sun on our uniform and we hope we can give it the justice it deserves.”
The Fire host the Spirit at Townsville Stadium from 7pm on Thursday night.
Click here to pre-purchase tickets to the Fire and the Spirit.