Sports Report Spring 2010
RN SPORTS REPORT – Spring Term 2010
By Cdr Peter Lewis MBE - SO1 Navy Sport.
This report provides just a flavour for another busy and successful period for Naval Service sport. At the top end, especially at Inter-Service level, we continue to punch above our weight and this reflects the huge efforts of all those involved – In particular our volunteer Sports Associations, the PT Branch, organisers, officials and coaches.
You will be aware of 2SL’s “grit agenda” and the vital contribution that sport makes to Operational Capability through teamwork, fitness, leadership, organisation, controlled aggression. And also the contribution it makes in helping to balance busy lives and recruiting and retention. Time for sport, rather than time off for sport provides management with clear direction and this, together with a strengthened structure of Regional “delivery areas”, enhanced sports programmes and central support from DNPD staff provide the reinvigorated main tools for the job.
In a nutshell the job is to get as many people participating in sport as possible, at all levels. Although there is clearly a long way to go, there are some encouraging early signs that grassroots sport is showing signs of new growth. To encourage this further, your Sports Lottery has injected new funding into the Regions and there are now grassroots programmes specifically to help create opportunities for “taster” sessions and novice activities. ARO’s will be able to provide advice on the criteria and how to access grassroots funding.
Please note that almost all RN Sports Associations now have their own websites and links can be found on the Intranet, the Sports Lottery website and WWW. search engines:
BOXING
Lance Corporal Billy Elder (45 Commando – Royal Marines) in only his first season on the Royal Navy Boxing Squad, reached the National Novice Championship finals, as the sole Combined Services representative.
His first challenge was to gain an inter-service crown which he achieved with great aplomb against RAF rival Watson.
January saw the first RN Ladies boxing training weekend. There were 18 keen women who dedicated a weekend to learn the noble art. Experience levels ranged from those whom have competed in National competition to raw novices.
Two Navy boxers, AB Andy Neylon (HMS Campleltown) and Mne Greg Welling (CTCRM) began their Senior season with a huge boost having been selected to represent England in an International duel versus Sweden, in Basingstoke. After the withdrawal of two Swedish team members, Neylon and Welling received short notice call up to face GB boxers Ogogo and Kirkham respectively. Despite the short notice both boxers proved more than a match for their international adversaries. Unfortunately, both Navy boxers lost on majority decisions.
The Royal Navy Boxing Team ventured overseas to gain experience in Sweden and Jersey. Lt Lucy O’Connor faced Swedish No1 Lillea Strandell. O’connor was awarded the gold medal but only on a majority decision but was presented with the best female boxer award. After a hugely successful tournament the Royal Navy team returned with two gold and three silver medals.
Lt Lucy O’Connor earned her first vest for Great Britain competing in an International duel against Sweden. Lucy faced three-time European silver medallist Shipra Neilssen. After a hard fought bout Lucy lost on a majority decision.
Lucy then embarked on her Olympic bid proper by winning a podium finish at a multi-nations competition in Ankara. Second only to the World Championships, this tournament attracted entries from 32 countries with 148 women taking part. Boxing at her new Olympic weight she overcame two strong opponents (both national champions) before losing an extremely tight decision to the eventual winner, former world amateur champion, and current holder of the professional WBO, WBC and IBO titles, Xijan Zhang of China.
Meanwhile five Navy boxers ventured to Jersey. The Navy team was awarded the team trophy having beaten the locals three bouts to two.
ICE HOCKEY
The RN Ice Hockey team returned to the rink after the Christmas break by travelling to Oxford to play the Bracknell B52s. In a hard fought match the Navy won 12 – 8.
Phase two trainees based at HMS Raleigh have put their skates on to test their sporting abilities on ice in a grassroots ice hockey training session, organised by the establishment’s PT department in conjunction with the Royal Navy Ice Hockey Association. A group of 25 trainees signed up to take part in the session run by Lt Cdr Alain Bernard and five members of the Royal Navy Inter – Service squad. (Comment by SO1NS A really good example of the grassroots programme at work)
Personnel interested in taking up the sport should visit the RNIHA website (www.rniha.org.uk)
WINTER SPORTS
The Winter Sports season got underway with the RN Alpine Championships (Skiing and Snowboarding). This year saw around 900 serving, ex serving and families descend on Tignes. Individual honours in the form of Navy Champions went to Lt Chris Sharratt (815Sqn) and Lt holly Henderson (HMS Sultan) in the Ski events and to Lt Mick Hawkes (HMS MONTROSE) and S/Lt Lindsay Griffiths (MWS Collingwood) in the Snowboarding. Full results are at www.rnwsa.co.uk
From the RN Championships, teams were selected to represent the Navy at the Inter Service Championships held in Meribel. The male Snowboarding team achieved their best results ever with gold silver and bronze medals in the Slopestyle event. This also gave them the team prize.
The very inexperienced Ski team made significant progress and in some cases are getting closer to the other two services.
SWIMMING
The RN team were in action for the first time in 2010 at the South East Region Championships. The team competed well and amassed a total of 10 Gold, 5 Silver and 2 Bronze medals. New records, subject to ratification, included 4RN, 2 British, 1 European and 1 World Record.
The Royal Navy Amateur Swimming Association hosted it’s 9th Open meet at Millfield School on Sun 28 Mar. The event is open to Service and civilian competitors and has now become a firm fixture in the national masters swimming calendar. From its inception in 2001 when 76 competitors entered the event this year attracted over 200 individual entrants from 43 clubs who made a total of around 1000 splashes. The event is now one of the most successful competitions in the UK at district level.
The event incorporates the Armed Forces Masters, which draws together current and Ex serving personnel who take part in this unique event. The day’s competition comprises of 20 individual and 6 relay events and is staged over 2 sessions. Competitors compete in 14 banded ages of 5 year groups, 25-29, 30-34 all the way through to 95-99. Competition in not only for medal places but also for a top male and female swimmer in each Armed Forces
Team Results 1st Royal Navy 1556 Pts 2nd Army 1227 Pts 3rd RAF 116
CROSS COUNTRY
The Inter Service Cross Country Championships were held at RAF High Wycombe. The RAF dominated the Senior Men’s event and the Army had a clean sweep in the Women’s race. However, Mne Aiden Redmile(42 Cdo) led the U20’s race from start to finish and was selected for the Combined Services team. Unfortunately he was deployed to Afghanistan, but will still be young enough to defend his title next year. The RN won the Vets team event by the narrowest of margins defeating the Army by one point with Cpl Mark Croasdale successfully defending his title.
INDOOR ROWING
The RN provided 11 indoor rowers for the Team GB contingent of 34 which recently took part in the World Indoor Rowing Championships in Boston USA. Seven of the 11 RN team posted personal best times at the event.
Royal Navy Indoor Rowing Teams are planning to compete in regional, national and international events over the next 2 years.
CYCLING
The RN&RM Cycling Association has already tasted victory in 2010 with success at the St Austell Wheelers 21 Mile Sporting TT on 28 Feb, where CPOPT Sean Childs (HMS RALEIGH) broke the Course Record to lead home Lt Steve Kelly (HMS RALEIGH) to a Navy 1-2, with LAET Nathan Gosling (RNAS Culdrose) in 5th
Again more success was obtained at the CS Dynamo 2 Up 10 Mile Team Trial at Honiton on 7 Mar, where Childs partnered by Mr Mark Bird (Associate Member) had a comfortable win. The RNRMCA took 3 of the top 4 positions with Lt Cdr Lee Sanderson & WO1 Garry Drew (both HMS RALEIGH) in 3rd and C/Sgt Stuart Edwards (HMS RALEIGH) and Mr Tom Cox (Associate Member) in 4th.
39 teams entered this year Navy Cup which took place at RNAS Merryfield, Yeovilton on Fri 12 Mar, which consisted of a 2 Up Team Time Trial covering 22 miles. Teams comprised of Inter-Unit, Composite and Guest categories and the standard of competition was much higher than in previous years. Less than 1 minute covered the top 4 teams with Childs and Drew taking the honours.
Result Top 8:
1st CPOPT Childs & WO1 Drew HMS RALEIGH Inter-Unit 47.57
2nd Mr Stanton & Mr Berogna VC St Raphael Guest 48.19
3rd S/Sgt Smith & S/Sgt Ridler 26 Engr Regt Guest 48.49
4th Lt Kelly & Lt Cdr Sanderson HMS RALEIGH Inter-Unit 48.55
5th Mr Harwood & Mr Hodson Revo Racing Guest 51.35
6th Maj Green & Cpl Aspell Abbey Wood/St Athans Guest 51.45
7th C/Sgt Edwards & Mr Cox HMS RALEIGH/RNRMCA Composite 52.32
8th LPT Peden & CPOPT Lowe HMS NELSON Inter-Unit 52.57
At the Good Friday Mid Devon Sporting 23 Mile TT on 2 Apr, current Navy Hill Climb Champion Sanderson took 6th in 55:53 and on Easter Monday Childs took his 3rd Open win of the season at the Northover Vets 10 Mile TT near Weston Super Mare on Mon 5 Apr. 5 minutes after crossing the line he then went on to partner Edwards in the 2 Up Team Time Trial where they finished a creditable 2nd. They were the only riders to enter both events on the day:
Result Top 5 Individual:
1st Sean Childs RNRMCA 20.49
2nd Stuart Dodd www.Drag2Zero.com 21.37
Result Top 3 for the 2 Up TTT
1st Phil Borrett & George Gori Team Tor 2000 21.15
2nd Sean Childs & Stuart Edwards RNRMCA 21.30
3rd Tom Alliban & David Moffett 1st CW & Revo Racing 21.47
Having just returned from holiday, Kelly put in a gutsy performance at the Exeter Wheelers Sporting 17 Mile TT near Exmouth on Sun 18 Apr, coming in 5th.
SQUASH
The 2010 Inter Service Squash Championships were held at RAF Halton. Missing two of their top players, including Mne Nick Jezeph the current Navy Champion, the Senior team’s best hope was to do well against the RAF and conduct a damage limitation exercise against a formidable Army team. The first RN match ended 3 – 2 to the RAF and the second 4 – 1 to the Army.
Under strength Ladies and Under 25 teams both lost 5 – 0 to the Army and RAF. A full strength RN Vets team did likewise.
HOCKEY
The Annual Inter Services Outdoor Championships were held at Aldershot on the 16/17 March 2010. Overall, the honours were shared, 3 competitions wins for the RAF, 2 competition wins for the Army with the Navy left to console themselves with a solitary but magnificent 4 – 1 win over the Army in the Blue Riband Army Navy Senior Men’s match and then participating in arguably the most exciting Inter Service match ever against the RAF . With only 30 seconds to go and the score 4 – 4, an over hit cross from the RAF player unexpectedly came off the Navy post directly into the path of a RAF player who put it away for the RAF. A 5 – 4 defeat for the RN.
SPECIAL AWARD
Lieutenant Commander Alan Walker received the Combined Services Sports Board Lifetime Achievement Award from His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent for his contribution to service hockey and swimming through being a player, coach and sports administrator over the past 35 years. This is the first time this has been awarded and is a fantastic achievement.
FOOTBALL
The culmination of the season is the Inter Services for the Senior,Women’s and Under 23 teams. The Senior squad had a training camp in Germany and the Under 23’s visited Gibratar prior to commencing their games.
All three teams had a chance of winning their respective competitions after the first round of matches.
After drawing their home fixture against the RAF at Fratton Park, the Seniors needed to score at least three goals and win against the Army at Aldershot.
Senior Results
RAF 2 Army 0 - RN 1 Army 1 - Army 2 Navy 2 – RAF Winners
The RN Women drew their away fixture against the Army which meant any win against the RAF at Victory Stadium would secure the Championship. In a very close game the RAF scored the only goal of the game from a set piece in the final minutes to win the Championship outright.
Women’s results
RAF 1 Army 0 - Army 1 RN 1 - RN 0 RAF 1 - RAF Winners
The highlight of the season was the first ever success of the U23’s in the Inter Service competition.
U23’s Results
Army 0 RAF 5 - RAF 2 RN 3 - RN 3 Army 0 - RN Winners
Prior to the Senior fixture with the Army the RN Vets dusted off their boots and played the Army vets in a very open and entertaining match. With seconds left and the score 3 – 3, the RN had the opportunity to win the match when a penalty was awarded for hand ball by an Army defender. Unfortunately the penalty was well saved by the Army keeper. Result 3 – 3.
The Navy Cup Final saw a repeat of the 2008 final with 45 Cdo taking on HMS Heron. HME Heron were 2-1 down going into injury time but managed get the equaliser and send the match into extra time. The winning goal came from 45Cdo in the second period of extra time to take the trophy for the second time in three years. Final result 3 – 2.
JUDO
On 3 April Marine Chris Sherrington, the current GB No1 Heavyweight, took on some of the top names in European Judo at a multi-national tournament in Sarajevo , and came away with a Bronze Medal. Chris, who is recovering from injury, was unlucky to lose the decision over the eventual winner on a judging technicality. He is now heading for Vienna as part of the GB Team in the European Team Championships.
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