Page 99 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

Rugby
Sadly 2024 has been another year in
which the regiment’s considerable
operational commitments has limited
the opportunities for the rugby team to
a cameo appearance at the Midlands
7s tournament. However, the spirit and
strength of QDG rugby has been upheld
in the outstanding performances of our
personnel.
Tpr Roper, who had spent two years
out of the game with a gruelling shoulder
injury sustained in an Army U23s game,
made his come back this year. He took no
time at all to earn his place in the senior
squad, making his debut in Pau against
the French Armee de Terre. Roper went
on to a starting position in the centre for
the Army v Navy game at Twickenham
in which he helped the Army over the
line to a close 43-42 victory. Tpr Roper’s
outstanding performances over the
It seems Tpr Roper has a face
made for Rugby and Radio
Baltic Osprey
Sailing presents a unique opportu-
nity for team-building and personal
development. The Masurian Lakes in
Northeast Poland is a region celebrated
for its natural beauty and interconnected
waterways. It provided an ideal setting
for a five-day expedition, the first sailing
AT to be conducted on Op Cabrit. The
goal of the trip was to introduce as many
soldiers to the sport as well as strengthen
teamwork and boost morale among the
40 soldiers involved.
The journey began in Mikołajki, often
referred to as the “Sailing Capital of
Poland.” The soldiers were introduced to
a 34ft sailboat, a squeeze for 10 people.
Initial briefings focused on the basics of
sailing, safety protocols, and the impor-
tance of cooperation. As the boats set
off toward Lake Śniardwy, Poland’s
largest lake, the soldiers quickly realised
the physical and mental demands of
managing sails, steering, and responding
to the skipper’s commands.
The second day was characterised by
early challenges as the soldiers rotated
through roles such as helmsman, navi-
gator, and deckhand. Strong winds on
Lake Śniardwy our ability to work cohe-
sively under pressure. Through trial and
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards course of the season saw him rewarded
with a full-time contract at Champi-
onship side Nottingham where he has
been playing consistently this season.
The Babcock Trophy 2024
winners with Tpr Roper QDG
error, the teams learned to anticipate one
another’s needs, reinforcing the impor-
tance of clear communication and trust.
The expedition brought a new set of
challenges to an experienced skipper,
navigating narrow canals by collapsing
the mast and avoiding submerged
obstacles. This required precision and
patience, qualities often demanded in
military operations. There was plenty of
opportunity to get ashore and sample the
local produce with some views to rival
the Mediterranean. Warm weather gave
the soldiers plenty of excuse to practice
their swimming improve their ability to
be dragged behind the yacht and swing
off a fender swing which only resulted in
one cracked rib.
TC
97
Fine dragoons in fine display
Given the horrific nature of his shoulder
injury a few years ago, requiring multiple
surgeries, Tpr Roper’s professional
contract is a testament to his character.
More recently, Sergeants Thomas
and Casey proved the rule that form is
temporary but class is permanent when
they represented the RAC just weeks
after returning from 6 months on Op
CABRIT, helping them to a whopping
76-13 victory. 2025 looks to be a more
fruitful season in which we hope to send
a team back to the Flanders 10’s tourna-
ment this coming May.
FM