By Flt Lt Jacqui Smith

An Overseas Visit would not be complete without the array of organised entertainments that offers the athletes some form of respite and fun following their hard day’s training! Train hard and play harder keeps the team’s spirit high. I was gladly given this small task and I set about devising challenges throughout the visit. I decided to incorporate a nightly music challenge, similar to “Name that tune” whereby everyone would have to guess the song and artist after hearing the first 15 seconds of a song. A different person got to choose a song of their choice each night (some were definitely harder than others, sometimes impossible or even misleading!). An incorrect guess would lead to a 1Euro fine, which went straight towards the ever-expanding kitty money for the last night’s meal. And if you were not a music boffin you were pretty much on a losing streak from the off!!

There was also the playing-card challenge, which meant the team had to carry a playing card they were given at all times and show it wherever someone challenged you to reveal it! If you didn’t have it on you, well…yes you have guessed correctly – another 1Euro fine! I had to get my money from somewhere!

A fancy dress evening is a must on each visit and this year was no exception. Everyone made a fantastic effort, the photo proves this and there were some great outfits, with one or two rather daring than others. I can’t believe a certain sprinter pitched up in a mankini… no shame at all but certainly was a good source of entertainment for the rest of the team!! The fancy dress night was designed to be different; we had a quiz consisting of 4 teams and 4 rounds comprising dingbats, puzzle words, general knowledge and movie music round, the competition was pretty close but Ester’s crew were the overall victorious team by winning the final movie music round. The quiz was followed by a couple of other games consisting of 2 people, piggy-back, hands on floor only and seeing how far you could place a can of coke on the floor. Tactics were rife but the mankini boy and cavewomen’s teamwork played into their hands to win the game. This was followed by another game involving tubby grips being placed onto people’s heads and having to remove them without using your hands. Easier said than done and it was extremely entertaining to watch the face pulling muscle contortion exercise that ensued. Some folks suffered more than others…depending onto the state of their hairdos and how much it resembled velcro!!

The end of tour meal took place at a local Italian and I decided to throw a few mess rules into the equation. After designing a seating plan, I had the girls move seats after the main meals to give peeps the opportunity of chatting to different team members. Everyone was given a challenge (you’ve probably noticed I like my little challenges) on their name card, which they had to perform throughout the evening consisting of charades or hum that tune. The traditional main prize for ‘athlete of the Visit’ went to Peter ‘Oz’ Ellis for his commitment to his own long-distance training but also because of the efforts he made to participate in other disciplines’ training sessions. He was always extremely eager to learn new skills and techniques to enhance his own training regime. A few thank-yous were given, in particular to Stacey Kirby for splendid efforts with organising the tour and Ben Trapnell for his assistance and talents as the excellent Visit photographer – some fantastic shots he captured and not least to Geoff Ingram for his healing hands providing excellent massage and some painful experiences for the athletes.

Once again is was an excellent overseas visit and the team not only benefited from some excellent training, but had a giggle in the process and that’s what it’s all about! Can’t wait till the next one!