Page 39 - MERCIAN Eagle 2019

Battalion Football Team
WO2 Andy McNulty, CSM D Coy
The Battalion’s Football Team came together for the first time in June 2019 and spent the summer working hard to build fitness and technical ability. The aim was to deliver a regular training base of thirty to forty soldiers, in order to enable the battalion to consistently deliver a team that is competitive, as well as give the soldiers a place away from work, in a sporting environment. There are also personal development opportunities for soldiers to qualify in the various coaching awards.
The team first started with a string of friendlies, playing against teams in the local area; they performed well in these games, with a notable victory coming in an 8-1 demolition of 3DSR in a match in Bulford. Concurrently to this several players within the 1 MERCIAN Squad have trialled and been selected for the Infantry football team, representing the Battalion at Corps level; Cpl Saunders and LCpl McKeown have regularly appeared in the match day squad with other soldiers from 1 MERCIAN not far behind them – a fantastic achievement.
The competitive season began in earnest in October 2019 and has seen 1 MERCIAN compete in Western Division 1 and the Army Challenge Cup and Army Southern Cup. The team was drawn against 1 RGR in the Infantry Cup. The highlights from this period included a steady victory against 4 Battalion REME at the military stadium in Tidworth, and an extraordinary match in the Southern Cup against 12 Regt Royal Artillery, who were last season’s Artillery Corps Champions; the game was locked at 3-3 in Full and Extra Time, with 12RA eventually progressing after a close penalty shootout.
The most recent game has seen 1 MERCIAN win 6-3 against
8 Battalion REME in the league. The soldiers in the team have worked hard in the gym, as well as on the training pitch, and
took a huge benefit from a football camp ran in October – here
the team came together to work on the game for a full week and the product of this was evident in the last few games. It also encompassed an introduction to Mental Resilience Training (MRT) and its use in a sporting context, to enhance the soldiers state of mind on the football pitch, as well as build the tactical and technical understanding of the game by the players.
The future looks bright with four competitions still up for grabs, a busy fixture list and the recent return of A Company from Estonia to add to the already healthy squad. Further attendance at Corps level with the Infantry Team and members of the squad attending Army coaching courses to enhance themselves and the team. The squad is inclusive of all abilities, from Novice to Corps level, and welcomes all with open arms for the love of the game, with an aim of offering soldiers a positive experience away from work.
Boxing in Estonia
In June, 20 members of the company paraded outside to start rigorous training to take part in the Battle Group boxing event. Fitting in around the busy schedule required hard work and dedication to those who participated. For those who went down to Adazi for the gunnery camp that meant a morning run, a bayonet range and a boxing session in the evening. All boxers slept well that night!
Late September meant training could get down in earnest. By this time the team had been whittled down to six boxers ably trained by Cpls Goody, McCuaig and Sgt Gardner. This coaching team was enhanced by the arrival of LCpl Collins - better known as Steve ‘the Celtic Warrior’ Collins. The former two weight world champion gave many pearls of wisdom to the team and coaches. His hard work and selflessness was appreciated by all.
October meant it was show time with the prelims on the Monday of that week. First up boxing an American fighter was Pte Greener, who boxed well with great footwork earning him victory. Pte Fleming boxed next, fighting a game fight against an aggressive opponent to a close loss. Page and Noone boxed next, both fighting well on the front foot with Page beating his opponent and Noone being outpointed by a speedy Gunner.
Fight night arrived and the Grenadier Company brought 4 fighters to the international high-profile event. Greener again fought first to a raucous Mercian reception, in a display of high-level boxing he just came up short. Noone fought against the same opponent he boxed in the prelims and this time
ran him a lot closer with many thinking he had just nicked it. Unfortunately, that was not too be. Pte Murdoch was next
in and after a strong first round he took a lucky shot which sent him to the canvass and ended the fight. Last up and
with the Company baying for a victory came Pte Page. A dominant three rounds under great pressure led to cheers of delight from the infantry contingent when Page’s hand was raised. The event was a high-profile occasion, livestreamed onto Estonian televisions and with attendance from across the NATO enhance Forward Presence Battlegroups throughout the Baltics and Poland. It was a unique night for many of our boxers and one that they will not forget in hurry.
All boxers would like to thank the dedication of the coaches and especially Steve Collins. The Company now looks forward to inter-company boxing in November.
A (Grenadier) Company boxers and coaches alongside LBdr Steve ‘the Celtic Warrior’ Collins.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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