Publication:Sea Talk Winter 2006/Team sports a winner under Sea Change
By LCDR Anne Faulconbridge
Sport has always been important in the Navy, and in the ADF in general.
Military service requires individuals to be fit and healthy, and this has a direct impact on our capability. However, participation in sporting activities, particularly team sports, has far greater benefits than just keeping our people fit.
Taking part in team sports requires discipline. It requires individual sacrifice to the team. It often requires physical courage, and it demands loyalty to the members of your team.
Discipline, sacrifice, courage and loyalty: these are the same qualities that underpin the capabilities of our ships, submarines, helicopter squadrons and diving teams, or any other military unit for that matter.
Participation in team sports is a very effective means of building strong, cohesive and professional ships' companies.
Navy has always known this, but as we have got busy in our daily work, sport has been given a somewhat lower priority.
As part of the Sea Change program, there has been a reinvigoration of sports participation for the whole Navy, particularly team sports. Some exciting initiatives have been taking place in Navy team sports.
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Inter-Command sports challenge
An annual Inter-Command sports challenge was initiated in Sydney in 2004.
This pits teams from our two major commands, Maritime Command and Systems Command, against each other.
The objectives are to encourage participation and to build a sense of Command identity. This concept was extended in 2005 to include a Sports challenge in Western Australia as well. The plan now is to hold an Inter-Command challenge in the east in the early part of each year and in the west towards the end.
The Navy Sports Council has been restructured to ensure that sport in the Navy receives the appropriate attention.
The Navy Sports Council supports a wide range of sports including: Aussie rules, rugby union, netball, rugby league, sailing, golf, soccer, softball, lawn bowls, cricket, dragon boat racing, alpine and nordic skiing, softball, touch football, ten pin bowling, and triathlons.
Progress has been particularly striking towards making Navy alpine skiing more of a team event, and touch rugby and netball are also undergoing development as part of the Navy-wide team sport reinvigoration program.
The role of the RAN Central Canteens Fund (RANCCF)
The Navy Sports Council receives significant financial support from the RANCCF. This financial year, the RANCCF has allocated $287 000 to the Navy Sports Council to help Navy with expenses such as registration fees, training coaches, and clothing and equipment.
RANCCF is a non-public fund set up with the specific purpose of providing financial assistance that will supplement the lifestyle of RAN members through benefits, products and services.
As you can see, Navy supports many sports - too many to cover in one article in any detail. A little more information follows about some of our traditional teams, as well as one of our less conventional team sports.
Navy recently won the day at the Australian Services Australian Football Association championships held in Canberra at Manuka Oval.
On April 11, Navy beat Army for the second year running to retain the Jim Smail Trophy.
Also for the first time, Navy claimed the 'double' of winning both the men's and women's title, with the women's team coming away with the CDRE Geoff Ledger Cup.
The ADF men's team (including a significant proportion of Navy team members) then went on to beat the National Emergency Services team at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on April 22.
RAN rugby union (RANRU) has been working hard to develop greater participation in rugby.
Two years ago there were 40 males and 20 females on the RANRU database. Now there are nearly 180 men on the database and over 40 women either playing or having an interest in rugby.
The Navy rugby coaching and development team have completed training camps in Canberra, Cairns, HMAS Stirling, , Sydney and Nowra. These camps have enabled RANRU to implement the Australian Rugby Union Smartrugby program.
With Smartrugby we are able to improve safety in the game through instructing better body positioning technique and general physical preparation.
Ultimately, RANRU would like to bring the Smartrugby program to all ships that field a rugby side. At the time of going to press, the Australian Services Rugby Competition (ASRC) was to be held in Canberra May 28 to June 3. Navy were to defend their titles as men's and women's champions.
The RAN will also contest the Commonwealth Navies' Rugby Cup (CNRC) in South Africa in October. This is a competition played between the Navies of the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
fitness, and involves men's, women's and mixed teams.
Highlights since the sports inception in the Navy include RAN teams representing Australia in Penang, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and New Zealand.
Major recent achievements include a third place in the Australian National Championships in 2005.
Anyone of any age and skill level can volunteer, and participants thus far have included every rank through to commodore. Everyone involved has had a lot of fun.
Dragon boat racing
Dragon boating in the Navy started in 1997 at HMAS Cerberus, and is currently represented in Canberra, Cerberus, Stirling, Sydney and Darwin.
The sport is ideal for military involvement because it requires great fitness, perfect coordination within the team of 20 paddlers, and a great team ethic.
It also avoids the common injuries associated with more traditional contact sports. Dragon boating is suitable for all ages, all body shapes and all levels of Team sports are an integral part of Navy's traditions and help the development of self-confidence, leadership and teamwork in our people.
Sea Change continues to contribute to fostering team sport, and Navy's commitment to support sport will remain into the future.
The sporting achievements of Navy's men and women are a source of pride, and continue a long and proud tradition.
Watch for more information on what some of Navy's other teams are achieving.
