Page 24 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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1ST BATTALION THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF FUSILIERS
Afull PDA on my first day and two Boxing events in my first three weeks with the Fusiliers could be considered unlucky. However, this also afforded me the opportunity to see the strengths of my new Battalion and to discover how important sport and Boxing are within the unit.
The boxing team had several training camps around the country in preparation for this year’s quarter final tie against 2 PWRR; ‘The Tigers’. During these camps, the team were privileged to meet HRH The Duke of Kent who came to speak to them during their morning training session in the Battalion boxing gym. He was very interested to learn about the training being undertaken and congratulated them on their hard work and dedication.
SSgt (SSI) R Chudley RAPTC
SSgt Chudley outside GSG
The Duke of Kent visiting the Bn boxing gym
After being crowned the Army Unit Boxing Champions in 2015, expectations were high for this year’s competition. The quarter final competition was hosted in Tidworth’s Garrison super gym. Although the Fusiliers were handed the home leg advantage, the home fans were outnumbered due to overseas work commitments. Despite this, the atmosphere was electric, with both sets of supporters in high spirits. The away fans were silenced in the first four bouts as the Fusiliers got off to the perfect start, taking a 4-0 lead. The Tigers came out after the interval with something to prove, going on to win the next 3 bouts. As per the rules of the competition, a match which is tied after 8 bouts will be decided on the winner of the eighth and final bout. Therefore, going into the
final bout, both teams had everything to fight for. The final bout could not have been any closer and was eventually decided on a split decision. The final result was a win for the Tigers, marking an amazing comeback and progression into the semi-finals.
Most recently I was responsible for organising the UK South Cross-Country League 5 race. Nearly 200 runners completed a gruelling 4 and 6-mile course, where last minute changes to the route meant the male runners were forced to tackle Sidbury Hill not once but twice. With only one soldier of the 200 getting lost after following a civilian – the event can be considered a success.
During my second year in post with the “Fighting Fusiliers”, I found myself settling into Battalion life and understanding more what the Unit really wanted to pull from me during
my post; this was Sport, and plenty of it! The ability to continually provide sporting events at Unit, Bde or Army level proved to be a good in for me to obtain wider support with the surrounding areas involved with PD.
As most Units will understand, the Fusiliers found themselves with such a heavily loaded FOE that I often saw Companies disappear for weeks at a time, often meaning physical training would take a huge hit when trying to provide consistency within a Company
training programme. With the Battalion (myself included) on Op Temperer and later in the year, Lead Police Back Fill (LPBF), personnel were often on standby to deploy if not so already. Incorporating sport into the Battalion FOE proved an immediate quick-fix giving some much needed downtime to the troops, often ending in early hour finishes in all messes.
With the Battalion’s main sporting focus being boxing, organising events fast became fashionable whether it was a Bn, Bde or Army level event. With the Battalion defending their title as Army Champions in 2016, the pressure was on to achieve the same success and defend the crown; Unfortunately this dream ended
SSgt McAndrew refereeing at the Harts medals
Near misses for both boxers
SSgt (SSI) SA Turner RAPTC