RAF Put Town Players Through Their Paces
RAF SHAWBURY ENGAGE WITH SHREWSBURY TOWN FC
RAF Shawbury personnel have got up close and personal with professional footballers during a mid-season training session at the unit by League 1 side, Shrewsbury Town.
Graham Turner brought his first team squad to the Station to work on physical and mental tests during the break in matches due to the FA Cup. The Station were more than happy to assist their local team with a range of activities. Corporals Gareth Evans and Mike Davies from the Physical Education Flight developed a number of exercises aimed at increasing teamwork, leadership and fitness. The morning session included a Battle Physical Training exercise which included a 6 mile stretcher run through local woods and across the Station. During the run the squad were also required to pull a Landrover for just under a mile.
Assisting and joining in on the run was Acting Station Commander, Wing Commander Chesh Cowieson, Squadron Leader Tommy O’ Flaherty and Corporal Scott Turner.
Post lunch the squad were tested mentally with the Gloucester Armed Force Careers Office Motivational Outreach team took them through floor leadership exercises in the Roland Wycherley Force Development Centre. The exercises were organised and led by Squadron Leader George Paton with Corporal Paul Emery.
During the teams visit Station personnel were pictured with the Shrews Goalkeeper Coach, Gavin Ward to show their efforts during November for the cancer awareness month ‘Movember’ campaign.
The visit by the squad adds to the excellent links enjoyed by the Station with Shrewsbury Twon FC. The RAF First team to play Inter Services fixtures at the Greenhous Meadow with the stadium becoming the home of the squad for the past 2 seasons culminating in the record breaking fifth Inter Services win last March. The squad are already looking forward to next year’s home fixture against the Royal Navy, at the stadium on Wednesday 17 March at 1900.
The whole session proved to be a huge success with players and staff commenting on all areas of the Station in a positive light. It also allowed personnel from the unit to be able to gain vital training experience from working with professional sportsmen. Squadron Leader Neil Hope said,’ the full session had proved exceptional experience for our physical instructors and they have all really enjoyed working with the squad. The whole Station wishes Graham and his squad the very best for the rest of the season.
It's been a tough end to the week for the Town squad who had double sessions yesterday including boxercise at the Shrewsbury Club and will finish it off with another tough session out on the training pitch on Saturday.