Scotland’s hockey stars enjoy Royal Marines’ experience

 

With just 27 days to go until the start of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, you might forgive athletes for toning down their training in preparation for their big day.

Not the Scottish women’s hockey squad. These elite athletes – including Emily Maguire, a Scotland and Team GB player and bronze medallist from London 2012 – decided to test themselves against the Royal Navy’s own fighting elite.

In preparation for forthcoming warm-up games against Spain, the women were looking for a team-building exercise that would push them outside their comfort zones, forge better leadership and communications skills in a team environment, and still challenge them physically.

Step forward Royal Marines from 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group, based at HM Naval Base Clyde, at Faslane. Marines pride themselves on instilling in their charges the Corps ethos of courage, determination, unselfishness and cheerfulness in the face of adversity.

Marines

Senior womens team with some of the Marines who helped out on the day

There was plenty of time for all four virtues, as Team Scotland were put through their paces across five main training stances which included abseiling, a spin afloat on the 45-knot ORCs (Offshore Raiding Craft), close quarter battle techniques and physical training at the gym.

The Unit’s commanding officer, Colonel Matt Pierson, summed up the interaction: “We were delighted to welcome the Scottish women’s hockey team to HM Naval Base Clyde, the home of 43 Commando and the base which supports the Royal Navy across a number of Fleet commitments from Scotland.

“It was a pleasure to talk with the squad ahead of the Commonwealth Games, at which I know a great number of Armed Forces personnel are directly supporting across security and other platforms. The women all acquitted themselves well and hopefully took value from experiencing the teamwork, professionalism and ethos of the Royal Marines that is our way of life.”

Team Scotland coach, Gordon Shepherd, was delighted with the day’s activities and said: “We would like to thank the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines for giving us all an experience of a lifetime. Anything that helps focus the women in terms of team-building and commitment ahead of the Games is of huge benefit.”

Emily Maguire added: “I really didn’t know what to expect, all we were told was we would be training with Royal Marines, and it seemed a little bit daunting.

“I think the team aspect in our sport when playing hockey is really important, so to build on those team relationships was good and we now have some wonderful memories to take away. Also a few incidents that were a bit scary but that we can all have a laugh about later on, so yeah, it was really good fun.”

Marines team building

L-R Vikki Bunce, Morag McLellan (who managed everything with a broken thumb!) Nikki Skrastin, Nikki Kidd and Ali Howie being put through their paces with team building exercises.

Scotland’s women’s team finished seventh in Delhi four years ago and is largely unchanged from that which competed in the FIH Champions Challenge in Glasgow just over a month ago, where they again finished in seventh position. They travel down to London for the Investec Cup on the 9th July to play England, Wales and South Africa.

Team Scotland is now in final preparations for some tough opposition in Australia, England, Malaysia and Wales at Glasgow 2014, which starts on July 23.

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