VIDEO: The competition is heating up between the Hartford Police Department and Hartford Fire Department ahead of the second annual CommUnity soccer match. “It gets super competitive, but it gets done in a healthy way, there is nothing wrong with competition, it’s for bragging rights,” Hartford Lions Soccer Academy founder Kenniel Martin said. Last year, police officers walked away with a 2-1 win. “It was hard fought, the game was back and forth the entire game, really anybody could have won,” Hartford Police Capt. Jeff Rousseau said.
Artie Rosa, the firefighter’s union president, said the match is about something greater between the two departments. “We serve the community together, and sometimes we respond to calls in tandem, they are there for the safety of the incident and we are sometimes there for a medical reason, etc., but it takes a group effort,” Rosa said. A sentiment Rousseau echoes. “We all serve the community, we have a strong bond with the community, we love Hartford, and it is great to be able to have this event in front of all the families and kids of the Hartford community,” Rousseau added.
The game is put on by the nonprofit organization Hartford Lions Soccer Academy. The gates open at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Trinity Health Stadium with a parent versus kid’s game. Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said the soccer match shines a positive light on why first responders take the job.
