Page 88 - RADC 2020

AMS Women’s FC retain the Edwards Cup
Sgt S Sugden
Season 2019/2020 AMS FC had a complete management and coaching team overhaul. Manager – SSgt Philip Pimlott (RAMC), Coaches – SSgt Shaun Easter (RAMC) and Sgt Scott Cornwell (RAMC). This change introduced new leadership qualities, vision and drive for the team. These guys worked tirelessly supporting the girls. They created challenging training sessions, unlocked potential, and provided stacks of encouragement from the side- lines.
Returning from lockdown, the training session starting on 21 Sept 20 was the AMS FC first meet since the beginning of 2020. We received two days of training which
saw both the players and coaches being challenged in preparation for the Edwards Cup Final.
Day 1 training: Finding our feet
After such a long break due to COVID
19 this was the first time most of us had touched a ball since March. The training staff put together simple drills and skills getting us used to having a ball at our feet again. As the day progressed the sun belted down, the gingers amongst us were dowsed in sun cream and the pace picked up. It was great to be back!
Day 2 training:
Setting the standard
0900, it was already red hot and set to be another warm day. Today was about
bringing together all the drills and skills from day one, stepping up the pace even more and going through gameplay situations. This helped the Manager and coaches identify areas of strength and weakness that need to be worked on prior to match day.
Naming the Squad:
On Tuesday evening the squad was announced, with each player being handed a brand new AMS 2020/2021 Nike strip. We really are going up in the world; decent kit and it is colour co-ordinated, happy days.
Starting 11: Golebiowska (HAC), Anderson (254 Med), Housam (21 Engr), Sugden (DMS, DCHET), Ellis (5 Med), Mearns (253 Med), Clifford (DMS, DCHET), McKinlay (1 Lancs), Fitzpatrick (1 MWD), Fisher (DMS, BCU), Paxton (DMG N).
Subs: Brown (4 Med), Moore (3 Med). Packham (JHGSE), Probert (QRH), Mills (1CG)
After the squad announcement we all had a pre-match meal together, I say meal, it was a takeaway on the end of our bunk beds but was nevertheless, great team bonding and we had a laugh. Obviously, social distancing was adhered to throughout.
Match Day
Squad photo: First thing in the morning we went for breakfast and then had our individual mug shots taken for the match programme.
Team Talk: The management and coaching team talked tactics, taking us
through our individual battles and working as a team. Nerves were really starting to set in, it was inevitable, we had a big job to do against a very talented REME squad.
The Game: Stepping out onto the pitch in an extended line, we were checked by the match officials. No handshake between the teams took place due to COVID restrictions. We went to our relevant end of the pitch and gathered in a team huddle, Skipper Del Clifford gave a team talk, and in traditional AMS style, all hands in ‘Ahhhhhhh AMS!’ we were pumped for the game to start.
The BFBS commentary echoed across the playing field and VIPs watched on as we battled it out on the pitch.
Ten minutes into the game Imogen Fisher
86 RADC BULLETIN 2020
SPORT & AT