Page 123 - Mind, Body and Spirit 2015-16

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EPISKOPI STATION BRITISH FORCES CYPRUS
SSgt (SSI) N Ferguson RAPTC
Since I assumed post at Episkopi Station in Sep 14, things have been fast paced from the start. My main responsibilities involve the daily management of a busy Station Gymnasium
and implementation of PD to HQ BFC, Epi Stn and CJPU. Episkopi Station is a Tri- Service Unit supporting approx 1200 troops, this coupled with a constant in ux of exercising visiting troops, sport tours and training camps ensure it is a rewarding yet challenging post for any RAPTCI.
Always keen to bring exciting new Ideas to the table I introduced a new event to the BFC sporting calendar in the form of an Indoor Rowing competition. The event was not only popular with military
Presentation
personnel but also attract entries from family dependants and civil servants. On the day there were over a hundred entries that competed in the 500m, 2000m and 5000m team relay. Concept 2 kindly provided the technical race equipment in order to link 10 rowing machines consecutively. The result was outstanding, creating a spectacular atmosphere and crowd interaction. The Commander of British Forces Cyprus, Air Vice- Marshal M Wigston CBE led from the front and participated in the 2000m race recording a very creditable 6:56 and winning the vets category. The competition was a great success thanks to all on Island RAPTCIs who got involved and supported the event.
Rowing
Since assuming the appointment in Jul 15 there has been a number of challenges in the short period that I
have been in post. As well as managing the station gym shared with 2 PWRR I am also responsible for looking after 25 minor units that share the facility. In addition, I also manage the station swimming pool and civilian employed lifeguards. After deploying to Afghan on a 9-month tour and following a further 6-month attachment to Kenya I was looking forward to some down time; this could not be further from the truth - To add to the challenge I only have one permanent PTI in the gym.
Dhekelia Station is situated on the southeast coast of Cyprus around 90 min from RAF Akrotiri and the station Gym is the largest in this area supporting in circa of 2500 military, dependants and entitled personnel. The facilities include Rugby pitch, football pitch, athletics track, basketball court, swimming pool, 5 a side astro turf, 2 squash courts, cricket pitch, CV suit and a weights room. This year will see a refurbishment of the weights equipment with a surge of 10k from J8 to bring the station up to date with current training methods.
DSU Xmas PT
DHEKELIA SUPPORT UNIT – LIONS GYMNASIUM
SSgt (SSI) C Horton RAPTC
The BFC RAPTC community is the best community of RAPTCIs I have had the honour to serve with. Unlike the UK or Germany there are only 11 RAPTCIs on Island, we are called on for every Sporting event to help or run. Alongside that, we have the RAPTC Cyprus Association and in Dec 15 we hosted the RAPTC
Association Christmas function, where I took the lead, and was a great success. Cyprus is a great place to work; however, there is still a cliché, in that it is a sunshine posting. The weather in Cyprus is great; but the job is still very demanding and rewarding at the same time.