Graham Turner brought his first team squad to the Station to complete the first week of their programme in preparation for the new season. The Station were more than happy to assist their local team with a range of activities.
Personnel from the Station Physical Education Flight developed a number of exercises aimed at increasing teamwork, leadership and fitness. On day one the team tried out the units high ropes course led by Flight Sergeant Kev Redstone and Flight Lieutenant Chris La Brow, having been split into 3 teams. They also tried various leadership and team working scenarios on floor based equipment. In the evening the team suffered their first defeat of the season when they were beaten 13-8 by the RAF Shawbury Ladies team at Netball!
Day 2 saw a rude awakening for the squad as they were awoken by the voice of Warrant Officer Tim Dempsey, the Station Warrant Officer and man in charge of discipline. The team then completed a run on the airfield. Football training was followed by a spinning session on bicycles led by Corporal Stew Kearney and a weights session. The afternoon included a difficult circuit session after a game of Basketball and Uni-Hoc.
Prior to the afternoon session the players viewed the re-naming of the Sports Hall. This was a very special occasion as the Hall was re-named after the Shrewsbury Town Chairman. The new name; the Roland Wycherley Force Development Centre was as a thank you to Roland from RAF Shawbury for the excellent relationship with the professional football team. It was also a thank you from the RAF Football Association for their ongoing links with the Shrews in allowing the RAF First team to play Inter Services fixtures at the Greenhous Meadow. The stadium has been the home of the squad for the past 2 seasons culminating in the record braking fifth Inter Services win in March. The squad are already looking forward to next year’s home fixture against the Royal Navy. Prior to the ceremony Captain Paul Shawcross RN, presented Mr Wycherley with a framed photograph of the Shrews pitch at the moment they secured promotion on behalf of the Defence Helicopter Flying School.
Roland was joined at the re-naming ceremony by Shrews President, Mal Starkey, Director, James Hughes and Club Secretary, Jayne Bebb. The evening saw the squad chatting with helicopter instructors and students at Central Flying School (Helicopters) under the supervision of Squadron Leader Bob Sommerville before viewing the Air Traffic Control, Simulators at Trade Training Flight of the Central Air Traffic Control School under the guidance of Corporal Scott Turner.
Day 3 saw the squad complete a full combat physical training exercise with the Shawbury instructors. The squad threw them selves into the session and enjoyed working with the RAF Instructors.
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. Most sessions were led by Corporal Ash Sharp, who was interviewed by Sky Sports during the Combat PT session.
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 forthcoming season.”