Page 60 - QDG Volume 9 No. 2 2021

58
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Rugby
This past year has been one marred by the spectre of Covid-19 putting a stop to sports for most of the year. This combined with a busy FOE in the build-up to operations has seen much of the year severely lacking in fixtures. Even with the constant presence of Covid-19 and the busy schedule the regimental rugby team has still been getting out and playing some hand-egg. In the summer we saw the QDG get back into the swing of things with several
rugby 7’s tournaments, this combined with the return of training really got the ball rolling for the rugby team to come back in force.
As the year went on, we
have seen multiple call ups
for Corps Rugby - Tprs
Laverua and Roper, both
brand new to regimental duty,
represent the RAC against
the likes of the Infantry and
the Royal Signals -momen-
tous achievement for two
Troopers straight out of
training. They were of course joined by multiple other QDGs, who maintained our now seemingly permanent presence on the RAC Rugby team. Trooper Roper went on to Captain the Army U23’s and lead them to a dominating victory in the Inter-Service Championship, person-
The RAC (/QDG) team
a three-day RFU coaching course bolstering the QDG’s available qualified coaches ensuring we are able to train and develop in the best way possible in line with RFU rules.
Once the QDG returns in full to Swanton Morley we are on
for our first fully manned
season in almost two
years, now looking at the pedigree that has been developed across the regiment even without regular training sessions QDG RUFC will become a force to be reckoned with on the Army stage.
AA
Tag me in Coach!
All very 1970s
As the year went on, we have seen multiple call ups for Corps Rugby
ally running in a brilliant try against the Royal Navy. Despite being deployed on operations, rugby is still an integral part of day-to-day life. Op Newcombe 3 has seen a Christmas touch rugby competition, bringing together all members of the British Task Group but also the wider Mobile Task Force, with teams from our
Swedish Counterparts entering. With the Six Nations looming this has not gone unnoticed by those deployed, with Cpl Jones and LCpl Rees planning a Six Nations competition involving Swedish, German, Fijian, Irish, Welsh and English teams. Lt Allington also completed