Page 91 - Chronicle Vol 17

ADVENTUROUS TRAINING AND SPORT
All riflemen that deployed on Exercise BALTIC FIST had the opportunity to con- duct Adventurous Training in Estonia, and company Adventurous Training pack- ages took place in the United Kingdom in August. The battalion will deploy our Alpine skiing team for Exercise FROSTED BLADE and Major Connor Maxwell has continued to play a key role in the organising committee. On an individual level we have had a myriad of sporting representation, with Lieutenant Toby Pratt playing Army hockey and subsequently being selected for the United Kingdom Armed Forces Under 25 squad. Rifleman Stephens represented Army rowing, Musician Thompson played for the Army Reserve Women’s Football team and Rifleman Alloway continues to coach the Army Boxing Team. The battalion cricket team remains active and hosted one of our livery companies at Burton Court before competing in the Inter Battalion T20 tournament. The Golf Team continue to play regularly led by Staff Sergeant Maddock and Warrant Officer Class 1 Soutter.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ASSOCIATION AND CADET SUPPORT
We continue to support both the Army Cadet Force and Combined Cadet Force by providing a series of training events. These activities culminated in the 2023 Rifles Cadet Cup that was delivered by G Company in October. The competi- tion was run in Brecon to give Cadets an insight into the home of Infantry train- ing and it was considered a great success by all concerned. Five CCF and seven ACF teams from RIFLES affiliated forces competed. These teams come from as far afield as Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. The Regimental Operations Support Officer, WO1 Soutter remains key to our wider engagement, regimental associa- tions, livery affiliations and battalion welfare. The Reading branch of the Rifles Association continues to grow under his stewardship and he is forging links with the Oxfordshire Rifles Continuity Group. Both these initiatives keep the battalion engaged with our associations and veterans in the areas. I would also like to men- tion the brilliant work he does as welfare officer. Over the past year we have seen a number of positive outcomes following his swift and empathetic interventions. The attention and compassion that he offers across a wide range of complex cases is truly humbling.
CONCLUSION
Since taking command I have been genuinely impressed with the level of profes- sionalism and commitment that I have seen across a vast array of activities and commitments. Next year promises to be similarly busy and varied. In January we will hold the Battalion Operational Shooting competition to select the shoot- ing team for their coming season. In March the battalion will come together in
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