Football duo take on Aussie counterparts

Two Whanganui police officers will head to Australia in October to play football for the New Zealand Police.

Constables James Oxtoby and G Singh have been chosen for the New Zealand Police football team, to play in the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games.

Mr Oxtoby is the captain of the team. "It's like the Olympic Games," he said.

The games will be held from October 8-15 on the Sunshine Coast.

They have been held in Whanganui twice, but most other times they have been held in Australia.

Competitors from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands would be attending.

Mr Oxtoby said it was "so exciting". He said he took being the captain in his stride.

"It's a big deal, I guess."

He will play midfield while Mr Singh will be the goalkeeper.

Australia-based company BioGiene is providing funding for the two officers.

"It's going to cost about $1500 each, obviously a big chunk of cash," Mr Singh said.

"We put a thing on Facebook just saying this is us, this is what's going on."

An operating manager for the company who lives locally saw the post and approached them about offering funding.

Mr Singh was looking forward to "seeing the standard" of their competition.

"We've only had a handful of tournaments," he said.