Detachment Commander Report

I would like to open this report with a public thank you to the tour manager, Sgt Andy Hughes, for all the hard work that he has done in organising this overseas visit. To bring together a wide and varied group of athletes is no mean feat and to then ensure that a demanding and progressive training programme is followed that tries to accommodate the differences of each athlete is exceptional. I would also like to acknowledge the help Andy received from Sqn Ldr Ben Trapnell in procuring the funding through the RAF Sports Board, without which many athletes would not have been able to afford an opportunity like this.

My second round of praise must go to the athletes themselves who have worked exceptionally hard during the 2 weeks training period. I was impressed by the effort put in by everyone and the energy which they sustained throughout the visit, applying themselves wholeheartedly to whatever technical training drill their coaches asked of them. Team camaraderie throughout the visit was excellent with some of the least experienced athletes benefiting from sampling new forms of training.

No tour like this could work without the coaching staff and again on behalf of the athletes I would like to add my thanks to all the coaching staff and the senior athletes who worked tirelessly to produce a progressive and demanding programme for everyone. I would like to say a special thank you to Sqn Ldr (Ret’d) Don Halliday who was more than willing to share his international experiences with all the young athletes.

The Army Athletics Team were also training at the same stadium, arriving towards the end of our first week with an expectation of a competition against us. Although we were able to run a few individual events with the Army it was far from ideal.

From a personal point of view I cannot think of a better way to end my military career and 23 years association with RAF Athletics than being the Detachment Commander to such a dedicated group of athletes who have been outstanding ambassadors of the Royal Air Force throughout their stay in Portugal. I wish the athletes and the Association all the success possible for the future.

Al Pearson