REPRESENTATIVE SPORT

 Many QARNNS represent the Navy in a various number of sports.  Below are the details of a couple of them.  If you represent the RN at sport, please forward details to the webmaster, Lt Matt Wesson, via the details on the home page.

Navy Skiing by CPONN Sara Elmy

RN Alpine Championships 2009 at Les Menuires

Each year the Royal Naval Winter Sports Association holds the RN Alpine Championships. This event is open to all RN service personnel from beginner to expert and is classed as Adventure Training. You can choose whether to snowboard, ski or telemark. I chose to snowboard as a beginner.

You have 5 2½ hour lessons during the week which run from Sunday to Thursday. The instruction is excellent and there are additional instructors on hand if you need extra help. The lessons are held in the mornings so you have the afternoon to go off and practice your new skills whilst taking advantage of the bars which serve up delicious hot chocolate. There are lots of slopes which cater for different abilities. I started off on the nursery slopes after the first lesson but quickly moved on to green when I had 3 year olds overtaking me. How embarrassing! The youngsters really do take to it like ducks to water. However, it doesn't take long before you gain confidence and by the end of the week I found myself going down blue and red runs from the top of the mountain. Races are held throughout the week depending on your ability. The beginner's race is held on the Thursday although it may sound quite daunting, it really is quite thrilling. I remember being at the start of the race thinking to myself  "Am I really doing this?" and I do admit I was quite nervous but by the time I got to the bottom I was buzzing. There is a really fun atmosphere in the air during the races and I can't wait to do it again. I came third in my race and along with my medal I received a goodie bag.

This year's Championship was held in Les Menuires although I believe next year the event will be held in Tignes. I have no doubt wherever it is held the scenery will be as breathtaking as it was at Les Menuires.

All in all, it was a great experience and I strongly recommend others to give it a go. The event is really well organised and is really good value as well. I believe you won't find a week skiing elsewhere this cheap. Discounts are also available to members of the Sport's lottery and you are required to join the Royal Naval Winter Sports Association. Go on, try it. I can promise you, you will not regret it!

Further information can be found on the following link: http://www.rnwsa.co.uk/index1.html

 NAVY HOCKEY by LT Matt Wesson QARNNS

INDOOR KINGS – 3 YEARS IN A ROW - INTERSERVICES  20/11/08

In the Royal Navy Hockey Association’s Centenary Season, HMS Collingwood took centre stage to host the inter-Service indoor hockey championship in which the RN’s men’s senior side, including player/coach Lt Matt Wesson QARNNS, was attempting to win the coveted title for the third consecutive year.   

With the RAF and Army keen to spoil the show, the first men’s game pitched the RN against the boys in light blue.  A frenetic pace was set whilst the teams were feeling each other out, with the RAF opening the scoring, despite several opportunities for the RN.  However, sustained pressure eventually resulted in a mistake and the RN equalised through POAEA Mark Stanton.  This served as a springboard for the team, who then started to find their range whilst comfortably defending against the skilful RAF front line.  This saw the RN take a 5-1 lead into the final four minutes.  The RAF then finally stepped up a gear and some thrilling attacks saw the scores close to 5-4 with only 30 seconds remaining.  However, superb defence from the team as a whole managed to close the game out, although not without several frayed nerves from coaches and supporters alike!

Winning this game allowed the RN a long break and the chance to watch the RAF play the Army.  This was a thrilling game, and a close fought contest, resulting in a 6-6 draw. As a result, the RN’s fate was in its own hands with a draw good enough to seal the championship.

The RN took the pitch and, despite facing a strong Army side with international pedigree, exuded confidence from the outset.  Penetrating attacks from the two defensive stalwarts, Lt Adam Duke and Lt Mark Dixon, caused many problems in the Army defence, whilst LPT Sam Howard and LET Danny Makaruk were waspish in defence and decisive in attack.  A comfortable lead was opened up leaving the RN 8-1 up with five minutes to go.  However, in the space of one minute, the Army then managed to claw back four goals.  The frayed nerves were evident again, and Lt Matty Wesson, the veteran of the team was called on from the bench to help settle RN side.  Great composure, team spirit, and a beautifully finished goal by Lt Sean Trevethan put paid to the Army comeback.  With the final score at 9-5, the RN retained the indoor championship and they were crowned ‘indoor kings’ for the third consecutive year.

NAVY GOLF by LNN SCOTT GILBERT

This year's Inter Services Golf Championships took place at the Berkshire Golf Club near Ascot at the beginning of September. This is the pinnacle competition for inter service golfers and once again the standard of golf proved to be extremely high for both men and ladies. The Royal Navy team was made up of personnel from all over the fleet and from various parts of the world. LNN Scott Gilbert (MDHU Portsmouth) and Royal Navy Vice Captain was again involved, however due to university commitments was unable to defend his individual crown (that he has won the past five years) earlier in the season. The weeklong event was played over two courses of the highest standard and proved a real test for all competitors. The weather stayed fair and dry which certainly helped considering the wet summer that we have all had.
The first day consisted of a practice day to enable everyone to see and play the course. This provided a great insight to certain holes and refreshed some player's memories about course design and possible strategies. The first match saw the Royal Navy up against The Royal Air Force. The RAF was defending champions and like last year proved strong opponents. LNN Scott Gilbert along with RN Captain LT Guy Norris (771 SQN) lead the way with an impressive 3&2 victory over their RAF opponents. At lunch the RN were 3 -2 down with all to play for in the 10 singles. After a close afternoon, with many matches heading up the 18 hole, the RAF ran out winners by 9.5 - 5.5.
The defeat left the RN team feeling disappointed as the build up to the event seemed very encouraging with lots of players playing well and feeling confident. This meant the RN had to play the Army on day three. The Army team on paper looked favourites for the title and had the added advantage of playing the course numerous times in practice matches. The RN team however, again felt confident. Format and pairing were kept the same from the previous day with Gilbert and Norris proving a formidable pairing by again winning comfortably 5&4. This unfortunately was the only point from the morning foursomes with the RN going down 4 matches to 1. A tall mountain was needed to be climbed during the afternoon singles if the RN were to pull off a memorable victory. Unfortunately the gap was too much for the players and the Army ran out easy winners by 12.5 - 2.5.
On the final day the Army played the RAF. The Army again proved a strong team by defeating the RAF and being crowned as Inter Services champions for the 2nd time in four years. The ladies event proved very different with the RN ladies winning the title for the first time in 11 years. This was a great victory and one they and the men's team hope to repeat at next year's event at Saunton Golf Club in North Devon.
Both Men's and ladies teams are always on the lookout for new players. If there are any interested parties with a handicap of 6 and below for the men and 25 and below for the ladies, please get in touch with LNN Scott Gilbert, Emergency Department, MDHU Portsmouth, ext 6372, for more information. 

Navy Swimming by Lt Karen McCullough QARNNS

Since joining the Royal Navy I have made the most of the opportunities to represent the RN and Tri-Service by swimming at National and International Level.Representative Sport offers a multitude of opportunities, I have been fortunate to represent the RN and Tri-Service as part of the Great Britain team in Canada at the World Masters Games and San Francisco at the World Masters Championships.

Closer to home I have been able to compete in the GB Nationals and the Welsh Nationals, but it’s the Inter-Services Championships which provide the ultimate sporting challenge. This competition is one of the most closely contested sporting events in the Tri-Service calendar.

As RN Ladies team captain one of my aims is to see the RN ladies lift the Inter Service Trophy. It is this aim and the need to qualify and attempt to defend my titles at the World Masters Games in Sydney 2009 which gives me the motivation to train in between working shifts. It is a great privilege to represent Great Britain, the Royal Navy and the QARNNS branch and the opportunities are out there!!  Below are some of the medals won since joining the Royal Navy.