THE Senior training camp this year ran from the 4th - 14th April in Faro, Portugal at the Browns Sport and Leisure facility, which is also used by the England Rugby team. The Reds finally got some time off active duty on front lines around the world, and worked hard to prepare for their two imminent inter service matches against the Navy and RAF. The squad was visited by England’s World Cup winning scrum half Matt Dawson, who is an ambassador for the ARU principal sponsor, Sodexo. During his stay Matt participated in a training session with selected team members.
DAY 1 - THE DEPARTURE
Mattie Dwyer - Ricky Reeves - Alex “Sicknote” Whitaker
THE flight out was delayed by 2 hours which was not ideal but ensured the team could start to bond in the airport and drink copious amounts of Coffee out of sight of the team management.
We arrived at the Browns Sporting complex and were suitability impressed with our home for the next 10 days. After our welcome and orientation the tension started to build with regards to the forthcoming training sessions.
The food provided was excellent unfortunately Alex Whitaker was unable to enjoy due to some bowel issues brought from UK!
Early to bed, suitably fed and watered awaiting the conditioning session at 0700hrs the following morning.
DAY 2 - TRAINING BEGINS
Mattie Dwyer - Ricky Reeves - Alex “Sicknote” Whitaker
THE training camp begins - 0700hrs in the dark (flood lights on) at the 3G pitch. A great conditioning session under the guidance the “Conditioning Machine” (Andy Harvey). A couple of the staff participated and are feeling the same pain as the players.
Again we are suitably fed with the quality of food (fuel) required to keep our engines going.
The next session was contact - very intense but just what Andy Sanger prescribed. Everybody is sore now and under no illusion of what is required for the remaining 9 days.
DAY 3 - WELCOME TO “THE PIT”
Mattie Dwyer - Ricky Reeves - Alex “Sicknote” Whitaker
MORNING conditioning session in “The Pit” starts at 0715hrs (to allow for light). More of the staff participate and officiate in the painful but enjoyable session. The winning team are proud of their achievement but will have a fight on their hands to keep the title.
Session two of the day consisted of scrummaging for the big boys and some counter attack work by the backs. The team come together in session three and produced some productive work.
DAY 4 - TIME TRIALS
Ben Hughes - Paul Llewellyn - Ralph Cooke
THE coaching staff treated us to a late start - no training until after breakfast! Again we are suitably fed by our hosts and set up for the days events.
As we approached the training paddock we all took a second look. It had been transformed into a scene from the slopes of Ski Sunday, coloured poles scattered across the park for the team sprint time trials. Certainly not going to get bored with the variety of training on this camp!
DAY 5 - BATTLE PREP / REPLEN
Ben Hughes - Paul Llewellyn - Ralph Cooke
THE team was announced for our first fixture against Spanish Premiership side Seville. The “Conditioning Machine” had us suitably warmed up and it was now time for the Head Coach to do something! Run a Handling Competition.
Like most competitions it pays to be a winner. The teams broke down forwards versus backs with the losing team serving the winners ice creams. With the odds stacked against the forwards they ended up clear winners (due to a technicality).
The team run followed and went well, it was now time for some well deserved down time, shopping for some, sleeping for others and a stroll down the marina for the remainder.
DAY 6 - GAME DAY - SEVILLE
Andy Sanger (Head Coach)
AFTER a very tough week both physically and mentally for the players it was now time to put the training into practice against Spanish Premiership side Seville boasting a handful of Spanish internationals and the odd southern hemisphere accent!!
The game started at a frantic pace with the Army finding the Spanish team a physical and uncompromising outfit, but the pace and power of the Army team was difficult for the Spanish to live with. A halftime score of 35-7 was achieved with scrum dominance and the Army backline intent on creating and then skilfully exploiting the gaps, the final score was 59-14 and is a reflection of the hard work and considerable efforts put in by the players this week, but there is still more to come.
Some solid team bonding after the game led to Mattie Dwyer hijacking the microphone off the after match entertainment and bringing the house down with his cameo performance. Overall a satisfying week with greater challenges to come, currently ranked 20 in the world Portugal on Tuesday will be a great challenge but is ideal preparation for the big task of trying to regain the Inter Services title starting against the RAF on the 20 Apr.
DAY 7 - RECOVERY AND REFLECTION
Billy Bragg
THE team met at 1200hrs, completed their medical review and began the recovery phase. Spinning, Swimming and Stretching followed by the tender hands of Dai Williams massaging any aching limbs.
The afternoon is free for the team to relax and most remain in the Browns complex and re-charge their batteries before the work begins the following day. A different story for the coaching staff the afternoon is spent analysing the Seville game, reviewing the training programme and ensuring the team is fully prepared for the Portugal game and the forthcoming Inter Services campaign.
DAY 8 - BACK TO THE “HARD YARDS”
Pail Gittins - Gav Ferguson - Peceli Nacamavuto
BACK to the hard yards! After a day of recovery the morning was spent re-capping contact drills and working in our respective units. The heat was relentless as many sore bodies knuckled down for 2 hours of hard work. Following lunch and a poolside recovery the squad returned to the training paddock for a cheeky SAQ session before the team run. The heat persisted and following 40 minutes of high intensity work, lines of running and patterns of play became even more polished as the Inter - Services edges closer. An early night by all in preparation for the Portuguese opposition that lay ahead.
DAY 9 - PORTUGAL GAME
Andy Sanger
AFTER 12 on field physical sessions and several analysis periods in 8 days it would have been easy for the Army team to have approached the fixture against a strong Portugal National team with fatigue and a lack of motivation for the physical confrontation to come. Nothing could have been further from the truth!!
After a shaky start when the Army allowed the Portuguese team 3 easy tries further questions of our character and team ethos were being asked, and the Army responded with a second half performance, both physically and mentally that did themselves and the Army proud. Endeavour, skill and true commitment were the order of the day and on another day, with a bit more accuracy in execution a win against opposition ranked 20 in the World IRB table could have been ours. It was not to be and a score line of 21-17 is what will enter the record books.
The training camp has been just that, a training camp! Hard work, bonding and a true work ethos that has prepared us well, however there is always time for play and after last night’s fixture it was no different. Our prime sponsor, Sodexo joined the team and thoroughly enjoyed the occasion and a few beers with the players! It is a small appreciation for the great support they give us. The preparation and fixtures have put us in good stead for the upcoming Inter Services games, starting next week against the RAF. I would publically like to thank all the players and support staff for the efforts during the camp and urge that we maintain that hunger and drive through the Championship.
DAY 10 - “POSITIVE DISAPPOINTMENT”
Billy Bragg
AFTER the disappointment of losing the team got together and carried out the normal post match recovery - checks by the medical team and a session with the “Conditioning Machine” in the pool.
A free afternoon ahead, extra rest for some and a trip out to sea for others. This trip proved too much for some of the soldier’s sea legs!
The players received a treat for supper with Daz Percy sneaking a few burgers and ice creams from the local McDonalds (out of sight of the “Conditioning Machine”).
A good night of rest required with all now focused and looking forward to the RAF fixture.
DAY 11 - HOMEWARD BOUND
THE final conditioning session for the boys started at 0700hrs and another treat was on the cards. All players and staff were initiated in to the world of Zumba! The session went well with great co-ordination and effort given by all.
The return journey complete without any hiccups now time for a little well earned rest before the following weeks hard work and the RAF in Aldershot.
