| Frustrated at their lack of rugby on Operations
in Afghanistan, several stalwarts of Army rugby headed
up by Captain Steve O'Connor of 17 Port
and Maritime Regiment (The Dolphins), planned and organised
the Kandahar touch rugby festival which took place on
Boxing day. The invite was sent out to all military personnel
in Kandahar and a total of 18 teams entered. The competition
which included entrants from the French, American and
Australian Armed forces along with our own Army, Royal
Marine and RAF teams, was played upon the only available
space, a hard surfaced open area inside the board walk
of the local market. |
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Bemused local and a large crowd of servicemen
from the competing nations looked on as the ‘Log
Group Nomads’ beat an exciting Australia 1 team
in the final 8 pts to 5 pts.
The day was a great success and all teams and nations
involved have pledged to run another competition later
this year before the weather gets really hot! The competition
went ahead with support from the RFU leisure rugby department
and the Army Rugby Union (ARU) who provided balls, equipment,
T-shirts and prizes, it is rumoured that several Australian
and French soldiers have been seen proudly sporting
‘Play On’ pink T-shirts supplied by the
RFU. The kit supplied by the RFU and ARU will further
be put to good use by soldiers wishing to train on their
days off from Operations.
A special mention must go to the organising committee,
Colonel Ed Newman, RSM John
Bagley, Sgt Major Taff Arber,
Staff Sergeant Jack Horner and ‘Bob
the American’ who all ensured the success
of the competition.
Read more about the British Army's activitives in Afghanistan at www.army.mod.uk
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