Page 47 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

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On the 8 Nov 2021, 5 Regt AAC Football Team flew out to Devil’s Tower Camp in Gibraltar for an overseas training camp to help prepare the team for the upcoming
2021/22 season. The training camp was a massive success with plenty of training that worked on developing skills and team tactics, plus two competitive fixtures vs The Duke of Lancaster Regiment and Manchester62; Both of which are a professional football teams based in Gibraltar.
The first day saw the team compete in a fixture against The Duke of Lancaster at Devil’s Tower Camp which they unfortunately lost. After a day of traveling and a tough opening fixture, day two consisted of a well needed recovery session in the morning followed by an afternoon on the pitch working on tactics and strategies for the upcoming match against Manchester62. On the third day, the team started with a formation session on the pitch before the next fixture that evening. The team kicked off against Manchester62 in what turned into a well contested match. The team were able to hold their own until the 88th minute where they unfortunately conceded. The players’ commitment and efforts were outstanding through the whole match and were unlucky not to come away with at least a draw which overall would have been a deserved result.
On the 11 Nov 21 (Remembrance Day), the team formed up at The Gibraltar Memorial ‘Cross of Sacrifice’ to pay their respects. Cpl Birch laid a wreath with Airtpr Frost carrying out a reading which was followed by a two-minute silence.
The final day was kept at a lower intensity allowing the team to recover and reflect on what was achieved throughout the
5 Regt AAC football team under the floodlit backdrop of the Rock of Gibraltar
week. This week has built a strong foundation for the team to move forward to what will hopefully be a successful 2021/22 season.
After nearly two years of limited competition across 5 Regt AAC, the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) was determined to bring his cup back with a bang. He wanted to promote the idea of being a conditioned thinking solider by incorporating various tasks alongside physical training. Each task was unique and forced teams to work as a collective as well as bring out unexpected leaders.
The breakdown of the competition was to complete various tasks scattered across the station within the quickest possible time. If a task was not complete, a time penalty would be given and added to their final time.
After nearly two hours or racing the clock and battling each other both mentally and physically, the results were in. It was a very close finish between two teams from 665 HQ Sqn and the REME Workshops, where it was the REME Workshops that just about took the win to receive the cup for 2021. Once the event was closed down, all ranks where invited indoors and out of the wet Northern Ireland weather for some well-earned refreshments along with a buffet that was freshly prepared by personnel within the Regiment. This was to promote various different cultures within the Regiment, having a range of different types of food.
The event was a great success and sprung morale higher than it had been for a while with restrictions finally allowing us all to socialise and compete against one another again. Hopefully 2022 will bring another well fought out battle.
On recognition by 5 Regt AAC’s RSM, SSgt (SSI) Jervis was awarded the RSM’s Bayonet for being the SNCO of the year for 2021. This was down to his efforts that has improved all levels of physical development along with his work alongside 38 (Irish) Bde and the MACA taskings that provided support to the Belfast Trust (NHS). As well as this, he remained committed to the Army Rugby Snr XV as their Strength & Conditioning coach. This was all done in what has been a challenging couple of years where health could have easily declined.
5 REGIMENT ARMY AIR CORPS GIBRALTAR 2021 FOOTBALL TOUR
SSgt (SSI) W Jervis RAPTC
SSgt (SSI) Jervis receiving the RSM’s Bayonet for best SNCO of 2021