Page 158 - AGC Journal 2018

AGC JOURNAL 2018

Athletics

By Warrant Officer Class 2 David Branfoot

Corps Athletics offer training for all abilities as well
as the opportunity to compete for your Branch in
the Inter Branch Championships and for the Corps
in the Army Inter Corps Championships. All we
need from you is some of your time, enthusiasm
and willingness to learn from our top level
coaching staff. Cypriot National Coach

with David Branfoot

as finishing fourth in the 3,000 metres. Alongside the

familiar faces of regular competitors, many talented

newcomers were identified. The competition encouraged
entry from novices, who had the opportunity to compete
against and learn from members of the Army team.
Warm Weather Training
The team training camp to Cyprus was run for the
second successive year. In addition to arduous training
in the baking sun there were also plenty of team building Eugene Steneberg
and recovery periods that made the trip very enjoyable. giving instructions
The team enjoyed a talk from the Cyprus National
Coach, which was followed by a successful question and
answer session. The session provided huge amounts of
knowledge for the team on training and answered many
questions on why certain activities are done and to
dispel some training myths.
The team
training in The Larnaca Athletics Club again provided facilities and
Larnaca coaching staff to enable daily sessions on technique and Cyprus Camp

athletic development. Whilst the training was underway Jumps Squad
in Cyprus Lance Corporal Natalie Walker from the local
Training For All unit detachment was identified as an athlete and joined

the training squad. Deven McInniss
chasing the leader
In April and May 2018 the Corps Athletics staged well
supported and successful free training sessions for Camp facilities are excellent, providing many shops
athletes of all abilities. These training sessions were and food outlets, as well as the beach and local traders

coached by well respected and effective military and within a short walking distance. Away from the training determination finished as runners-up to the

civilian coaching staff. Training was provided for sprint schedule, the team enjoyed the opportunity to visit the Army Medical Services, the first time our team to
events, 400 metres, 800 metres, middle distance events, Capital, Nicosia, and cross into the Turkish sector of podium for over ten years – Well Done.
throws, long jump and high jump. The training focussed Cyprus in the north, for culture and shopping. A team
upon improving the individual’s knowledge of training meze meal in a traditional taverna and running on the Roll of Honour
and then practical application within each discipline, Salt Lake were other highlights of the trip.
with feedback to help improve performance. On both Inter Corps Trophy winners: Lance Corporal
days around thirty personnel of all ages and abilities Inter Corps Athletics Championships Cyprian Onderi second Javelin, Corporal Shaun
enjoyed the group warm ups and the chance to try Patterson runner-up in both 100 metres and

different events – sometimes for the first time. With all the training complete, it was time to show the 200 metres B String, Lance Corporal Jed Hayes
other Corps what our training routine had achieved. second 800 metres, Lance Corporal Devon

Inaugural Inter Branch Competition The conditions at Aldershot Military Stadium were McInness first 800 metres B String, Captain

near perfect and, despite a disqualification in the 400 James Keir first 1,500 metres B String. In the

Sergeant Kim Doyle organised the inaugural Inter metres Hurdles, we improved in all disciplines compared women’s event: Corporal Hollie Ayres Second

Branch Athletics Competition in May at Tidworth Oval. to the previous year. We again boasted the largest 800 metres, Corporal Nansai Ravai first Shot Put,

The event was used to raise the profile of Corps Athletics, number of participants, flooding the track and field in Lance Corporal Lydia Morley first High jump.

as well as a trial to select the Corps team. Despite the red and blue athletics strips. We also had the noisiest
weather being overcast the event proved a huge success supporters which gave all our participants maximum Army team selection for Inter-Services: Lance
Corporal Cyprian Onderi (Gold Inter Services
with competitors ranging from Private to Colonel taking encouragement. The men’s team were unlucky that their Javelin), Lance Corporal Lydia Morley (Gold
part and showing great enthusiasm. Coaching staff individual improvements were matched by the quality

were on hand to help coach the participants allowing of the competition and although achieved an improved Inter Services High Jump), Corporal Nansai
Ravai (Silver Shot Put), Sergeant Erik Lister,
competitors to improve during the events. Lieutenant score, the overall finish position remained the same.

Colonel Hawthorn Lockwood, the Corps Athletics and The ladies team under Sergeant Kim Doyle however Sam Wilding Lance Corporal Sam Darlington, Lance Corporal
Sam Wilding, Corporal Hollie Ayres and Lance
Cross Country Chairman presented the prizes as well were in dominant form and from their dedication and ready to go Corporal Luke Gay.
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