The N.J. Heroes, a team of indoor soccer players from various Hudson County fire and police departments competed in the World Police & Fire Games at the Jacob Javits Center in New York this week against teams from more than 70 countries. Even with a depleted roster, the Heroes played at a high level and made it to the semifinals before losing to a squad from Russia that would go on to win the entire tournament.
But for Jersey City Fire Department member and goalkeeper Christian Sir, the final scores weren’t as important as the greater significance of the tournament. “I think it was bigger than being from Hudson County. We represented New Jersey, and even the U.S.,” he said. “I myself speak Spanish, so I was able to converse with some players from the Spanish team. This tournament was a good representation of who we are, and we walked away with bunch of friends.”
The Heroes are an all-star team from the N.J. Heroes League, founded by former Hudson Catholic coach Alex Lalaoui.
The league features Hudson County players from the fire departments of Jersey City, Bayonne and Hoboken, as well as ICE and the Hudson County Department of Corrections.
Players also come from the police departments of Jersey City, Hoboken and Harrison, the FBI, Homeland Security and the Port Authority Police Department. The World Police & Fire Games began last Friday and will run through Sept. 5. The games are held every two years in various locations throughout the world, and feature more than 60 different athletic competitions. The purpose of the event is to foster communication and camaraderie between emergency service workers around the world.
The Heroes had a torrid run through the indoor soccer tournament, taking first place in their division with three wins and a tie in the opening round. The Heroes shut out a team of New York state troopers, 3-0, beat a team from the United Kingdom, squeaked by the Canadian Cambridge Fire Department 2-1, and tied a team from Madrid, 1-1.
“We were all very pleased. For the first time playing, it was a real united effort together. Everyone committed, played hard, and even though we weren’t the best team,” Lalaoui said.
After learning their team was invited to compete in the World Police Indoor Soccer Tournament in Amsterdam next month, Lalaoui saw the games in New York as a good opportunity to prepare.
But he was quite happy to see his team do so well, considering about half of the players couldn’t make the trip to New York.
“This is our first time attending and it was just amazing, almost like a United Nations I don’t think I saw any countries missing.
“It’s a great way of building really solid bridges. I think it’s just an amazing idea and helps you look at the world from a different perspective, a different angle.”
Link to Jersey Journal Article
Pictured: NJ Heroes Team at the WPFG Tournament in New York
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