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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
Iwas assigned to Joint Service Signal Unit Cyprus (JSSU-Cyp) in Aug 23, taking over from SSgt (SSI) Blair
Webster. Almost immediately, I was tasked with organising the British Forces Cyprus (BFC) Door-2-Door (D2D) Cycle Event. This was an 80km Cycle from RAF Akrotiri to Ayios Nikolaos Station for all Units based on island. Needless to say, it was a great success.
Following on from the D2D event, and with a department of only 3 qualified personnel, we also managed to deliver BFC Cross-Country and BFC British Army Warrior Fitness (BAWF) Competitions, which were both held at Ayios Nikolaos Station.
Having never served in Cyprus or in a Tri– Service Unit before, it took me a while to get used to how the RAF and Navy deliver PT and, more importantly, how they deliver fitness tests. After a few months in the role I had well and truly found my
SSgt (SSI) S Michaelson-Yeates RAPTC
SSgt (SSI) Michaelson-Yeates and the Gym staff delivering the BFC Cross Country event
feet, delivering PT to all Services and their partners.
With JSSU being so busy with operations and countless visits, we have managed to secure a brand new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) on camp alongside establishing a Unit competition that runs throughout the year. This consists of one event per month, either fitness, sport or mil training, and ends with the good old Officers/Seniors vs Juniors Football as the final event. So far so good.
JSSU PT Staff - (L to R) Cpl Mycroft, SSgt (SSI) Michaelson-Yeates, Sgt Major RAF.
With the temperature rising, BBQs flowing, and the ‘Cyprus stone’ increasing, the Unit has a very busy year ahead as well as big changes to the hierarchy of HQ Sqn. Exciting times ahead!
JOINT SERVICE SIGNAL UNIT CYPRUS
Iwish to acknowledge through the Journal of the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, the massive
contribution and sports leadership training given to me when serving in the Corps. In addition, my posting at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst was a privilege and honour as it is recognised as a world-leading military training academy.
All of this training and experience enabled me to progress from as a Sergeant Instructor in The Corps to become a Professor of Sports & Exercise Science in institutions such as Nottingham Trent University, Sheffield University, Bucks New University and Suffolk University, promoting sports fitness, physical activity and healthy ageing.
At Sheffield University I instigated and planned the first ever University post-graduate courses in Sports Management and Sports Coaching. This latter
course was linked to the University’s Medical School, which has now progressed to Sports Medicine. In addition, I also introduced the first- ever University Diploma
Former Sgt (SI) APTC 1965-1968.
Course in Physical Education/Sports Studies for APTC Officers at the University (1987). This eventually led to the academic development for members of the Corps to gain higher degrees at various UK Universities.
I was awarded a NATO Fellowship to study for a PhD in Sports Administration at West Virginia University in 1978. I was also fortunate to be awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship to study Integrated Sports Science Partnership to help the practitioners of sport at the elite level at both the Colorado USA Olympic Training Centre and the Australian
Institute of Sport in Canberra.
As an athlete I represented Great Britain in the discus event at the 1968 Mexico and 1972 Olympic Games, including three Commonwealth Games
(1966), (1970-bronze medal) and (1974-silver medal). I broke the discus UK National record on 19 occasions, the last stood for
over 25 years.
After retiring from
active athletics
participation, I
became a coach to
the British Athletics
Team, including
the IAAF (World
Athletics) striving
to improve the
developing
countries to excel in Track & Field athletics on the world stage.
In 1992, I was awarded an MBE for services to athletics.
I have published a number of books, which include: Health Related Fitness; Weight-Training for Sport; Leisure Management; Olympics 84; Ageing Youthfully - A Way of Life; and an autobiography entitled ‘Bill Tancred An Ordinary Olympian But What A Life.’
My latest book, just published, might be of interest to both retired and serving members of the RAPTC. It is called ‘BRITISH AND USA FILM STARS WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRIES IN WORLD WAR 2.’ It can be purchased on Amazon or from me directly – billtancred@hotmail.com
(£12.99 including £3.00 P&P).
PROFESSOR BILL TANCRED MBE