North
West Area PT Branch Strikes Again!
The North West Area Physical Training Branch ran
their final qualifying course for this training
year at Tameside Sea Cadets last weekend with a
total of 28 candidates applying; supported by the
North West Area PT Staff and the staff of Tameside
Sea Cadets. The course was lead by Sergeant (SCC)
Andy Edgar (Area Staff Officer PT) along with his
assistant and Chief Staff Instructor POPT (SCC)
Shane Faulkner (Corps Physical Training Instructor).
Sgt (SCC) Edgar said “this last training
year has seen a staggering number of cadets come
and test themselves mentally and physically through
a varied physical training programme over 2 days
instruction; which I say with confidence is not
for the fait hearted. The cadets learn a great deal
and lengthen their paths in so many ways when they
come on course from gaining basic know how on taking
younger cadets and pier’s for RT Games and
Daily Exercises to learning about how the human
body reacts to physical exercise. I believe the
cadets really get a sense of the kind of fitness
level and stamina it takes not only to pass a physical
training course in the sea cadets but also the kind
of physical ambition it takes to get through the
Royal Navy training phase.”
In total there was 27 cadets and 1 adult member
of staff qualifying on course, all of which passed
at varied levels (some with partial on one assessment
or for various uncompleted duties). POPT (SCC) Shane
Faulkner (Chief Staff Instructor) commented that
“this last course to date has brought together
a total of 6 Units and the biggest number of candidates
to date that I can remember in the last 5 years
since we first moved our courses here at Tameside
Sea Cadets. Cadets, when they first come on course
they are brought together for a health and safety
brief by Lt Cdr (SCC) Graham Broadbent RNR (CO Tameside
Sea Cadets) and then are handed over to the PT Staff
and Instructors where from 2100 on Friday evening
till 1400 Sunday afternoon they instil the importance
of appearance, time keeping and self delivery until
when the time comes to return to their various Units
around the Area they are mentally and physically
stretched to their limits in all senses of the word.
It is a great privilege to be able to see such a
mixed ability of cadets improve in such a way come
the end of the course you see a massive change in
character and self-confidence in each candidate.
A big Bravo Zulu to you all.”
From
records kept a total of 84 cadets have passed Physical
Trainer 3rd Class and 2 Adults passing Adult Basic
Instructor in the last training year. A big thank
you goes to the Commanding Officer of Tameside Sea
Cadets for the use of his Units facilities. To all
of the North West Area PT Staff for their continuous
effort and determination to carry forth the branch
in the North West Area. But most of all to the cadets
and adult volunteers who apply to come on course.
Course dates for the up and coming training year
have been approved and will be on Westminster in
the very near future; the first of which will be
5th-7th February 2010
From all of the North West Area PT Staff have a
great Christmas Holiday and very Happy New Year.
