POLICE are set to reignite their friendly on-field rivalry during an Australia Day touch football match.
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The Albury and Wodonga police forces will take to the field with members of the Border Aboriginal community.
While Albury officers have taken home the cup more often than their southern counterparts, Wodonga Inspector Paul Hargreaves is hopeful of a win.
“We’re pleased to say that we allowed them to win last year,” he said at Noreuil Park on Wednesday.
“We’ll give them an opportunity on this beautiful park out here but more importantly, we’re here to just demonstrate how well we’re connected in the community.
“To do that on Australia Day is fantastic.”
The event will start at the Noreuil Park oval in the morning with a game of rounders, followed by the touch rugby game at 1pm.
Albury Inspector Scott Russell said it was an event the officers and Indigenous community looked forward to each year.
“We certainly work together as far as policing goes,” he said.
“But our sporting rivalry, this is where we like to challenge each other to see who may be superior on the day.”
The event has been growing in popularity each year.
While the heat is expected to create some challenging conditions on Saturday, Inspector Russell believes NSW has “put a pretty good team together”.
Some members of the Aboriginal community are expected to travel long distances to watch the match.
Inspector Hargreaves said while the Victorians would prefer to be playing their native game of Australian rules, he hopes the game will be well supported.