Page 40 - QARANC Vol 14 No 7 2013

38 QARANC THE GAZETTE
22 Field Hospital AMS Athletics 2013
Commanding Officer Lt Col Andrea Lewis QARANC RRC RSM WO1 RSM Zita Heyes RAMC
As one of the most renowned social and of course prestigious sporting events, of the year, the pressure was on for 22 Field Hospital to host the AMS Athletics 2013 and continue the fine reputation of the grand reunion.
Where, when and how were a little hazy, in the early stages, but once the date, time and venue were set the Ops Officer’s phone was never on the hook. The time was tight, the weather somewhat unpredictable and the manpower short but 22 Fd Hosp never admit defeat and the challenge was met head on. Roll on the 21 June and be prepared for it to be ‘the longest day’ with two days worth of high level sporting activity squeezed into one. Oh, and please let the weather be kind as we need the tentage dry for Very High Readiness standby.
So the preparation progressed at a rate of knots only known to a Royal Marines RIB and the building commenced the day before. Barbeque area, changing rooms, VIP wet weather area, Marshall’s tents, scorer’s tents, registration tent and the grandstand for competitors, although it is more intimate and compact than grand. Please let the weather be good!
The big day arrived and so did the transport, at 06.30hrs. Bleary eyes a plenty and far too many grey clouds the day did not feel good so far. But we can do this, we’re 22. Mine tape up, guy ropes marked, steeplechase barriers in place, or so we thought. They seemed to move at least five laps around the track throughout the day on the shoulders of some rather disgruntled CMTs. Track ready and cordoned off from the heaving crowds that were expected. And slowly they arrived, as did the rain. But it’s OK because Sgt Hughes has got the BBQ going so at least we can comfort eat.
By 09.00hrs the first event was ready to start and the rain seemed to have eased but the competitors looked cosy in the ‘grandstand.’ The Officers without portfolio, in their best ‘officer clothes,’ did not however look cosy. Oh well jog on chaps! Let the sport begin.
And so it did with all levels of willing participants dragging the crowds to their feet to celebrate a fabulous gathering and a massive amount of effort from all involved, sportsmen and women and staff alike. The sun even came out mid-morning and the crowds
got bigger and warmer throughout the day. The excitement rose as the sprint finals and medleys became very close run events (pun unintended) and the points boards remained the best kept secret of the day; The eventual winners being the unexpected 3 Medical Regiment, male and female teams. Great show guys! Try again next year 16.
‘A great success, what a great day, the best AMS Athletics I’ve ever attended’ and so the compliments rolled in. The venue had proved to be much more sociable and flexible than expected and the weather had come out in support too, meaning that the tentage could be dropped before the end of the day and the troops got home three hours earlier than expected. Very good for the bar profits in Aldershot! More importantly though the day was enjoyed by all involved and a tremendous amount of effort was made by those attending and those organising, making the utmost effort to keep the fun things in the Army going. Well done one and all and here’s a look forward to 2014.
Maj Karen Stockbridge RRC 22 Fd Hosp
Northern League Cross Country 6th and final competition
On 20th Feb 2013 the 6th race of the cross country league was held by the REME in Munster barracks. The female team comprised of Pte Robinson, Pte Westwood and Pte Whatmough, the male team Sgt Mclavey and Cpl Haynes. The route was a 3 mile course for females and 6 miles for the males, on the training area at the rear of Munster Barracks. The ground was sodden, and after 5 minutes if your trainers weren’t muddy and wet through you were doing well! As for the hills... the males definitely got the rough end of the deal and had a far more arduous route.
The final race of the season was held in Leconsfield on the Westwood Pasture, there was a good turn out for females. Attendees were; Capt Collins, Sgt Mclavey, Cpl Scott, Cpl Macintosh, Cpl Butterfield, Pte Robinson, Pte Westwood, Pte Chadwick and Pte Whatmough. The route was quite nice, again the females had a 3 mile route and the males had 2 laps of the route. The local golfers provided support on the route with comments such as ‘only 10 miles to go!’ thankfully that was not the case and
the females ran particularly well with Cpl Scott getting 2nd, Pte Robinson 3rd and Capt Collins 4th, with 5 female placing in the top 10. After completing the race the girls went to cheer on the men and were surprised to find Cpl Macintosh side stepping and salsa dancing his way to the finish! After the race it was back for final results of the season and some well earned tea and sandwiches! MDHU(N) placed well in the female categories coming second in the female open and first in the female veteran categories. The males unfortunately didn’t place on the leader board, but individually did quite well.
A big thank you to everyone that attended the races over the course of the season, without the dedication of individuals we wouldn’t have done so well. A big thank you to Capt Thompson and Sgt Mclavey for organising and supporting the team, and to everyone that attended any of the races. We look forward to the next season and hope to do as well if not better than this year.
Pte Robinson and Pte Westwood MDHU Northallerton