INTRODUCTION

The Services make great play in both recruiting advertising and in retention policies of the extensive sporting opportunities available to our personnel in the Armed Forces. It is therefore not surprising that the Services attract a number of talented athletes who by their own commitment and skill will reach the higher levels of sporting achievement. Over the last century the Services have provided numerous national champions and Olympians The arrangements in the past for managing the Service careers of these individuals were largely ad hoc.. However, in recent years a procedure for managing outstanding sportsmen has been established (detailed in AP 3415 – Sport and Recreation in the RAF) and is working well.

A Manning Staff Instruction on Elite, High Performing Athletes & RAF Sports Markers can be found on our Airspace Website; follow link on Policy page (Airspace Docs)

GOVERNMENT POLICY ON SPORT

The Government set out the sports policy for the UK in ‘Game Plan; a strategy for delivering Government’s Sport and Physical Development Policy’. This 2002 document concluded that the Government has a role to play in widening opportunities to participate in sport, in developing talent, and in enabling the UK’s sportsmen and women to compete at the highest level. With specific reference to high level sport, the Government set itself the overarching objective of:

“a sustainable improvement in success in international competition, particularly in the sports that matter most to the public, primarily because of the “feel good factor” associated with winning.”

This objective recognises that providing success has a positive effect on many people and it is a clear indication of how elite athletes have an important role to play in society.

SPORT IN THE UK ARMED FORCES

Physical development is regarded as a key component that directly contributes to military effectiveness, and sport is one of the core pillars that aid the delivery of physical development. The Armed Forces Overarching Personnel Strategy encourages Service personnel to participate regularly in sporting activities at all levels:

“Encouraging sporting success at the individual, unit and representational level, provides a framework for Service, Inter-Service and Combined Service sports competitions and representational sporting opportunities.”

The Armed Forces Physical Development Policy acknowledges the important part that sport plays in overall Service life, contributing to fitness, teamwork, leadership, self-discipline, determination, courage, competitive spirit and military ethos. In addition sport provides an outlet from the stresses of military life and therefore contributes to balance and well being. Sport also contributes to recruiting and retention, and assists in providing a positive public image for the Forces.

Although sports policy in the Services is a joint policy, its execution is mainly the responsibility of the single Service. The Director of Sport for each Service exercises executive responsibility, on behalf of his PPO, and represents his Service on the Combined Services Sports Board. The Sports Associations are where the majority of policy execution takes place. As the standard of sport increases, a wider direction and coordination role is required requiring greater involvement from the Sport Associations. The cooperation of Commanding Officers is also crucial as they are responsible for granting permission for time to compete. It can therefore be seen that the Service Directors of Sport, their immediate staffs, Association officials, and Commanding Officers are the key personnel involved in decisions on athletes competing at higher representational and international levels. When personnel management decisions are required on elite athletes, PMA staff are also involved in the process.

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES

The MOD has adopted a common policy for dealing with professional athletes in the Services. The latest guidelines were issued in JS DCI 130 in 2000. This comprehensive policy details a number of principles, acknowledging that involvement in sport can be of benefit to the individual and the Service, both during and after a sporting career. It also recognises the time demands which professional sport can make on an individual in terms of training and competing and that personnel should not receive their full Service pay while at the same time receiving payment for the participation in sport. It is made clear that the needs of the Service remain paramount, but every effort will be made to foster and encourage those with a genuine talent, because the Services have much to gain by capitalising on the achievements for recruiting and public relations.

AP3415 – SECTION 2, CHAPTER 2 – REGULATIONS GOVERNING CONDUCT OF SPORT PLAYED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE RAF SPORTS BOARD

RAF outstanding amateur athletes are to conform to the procedures laid out in this AP, when pursuing ‘Agreed Leave of Absence for Dedicated Training and Competition for Outstanding Athletes’. The procedure for athletes wishing to apply for leave of absence for dedicated training and competition is to apply to their Station Commander through the Chairman of their Sports Association. Given endorsement:

• Each case is to be forwarded to the Director of the RAF Sports Board (DSB(RAF))
• If the case is bona fide, then DSB(RAF) shall convene a “Board” to consider it.
• Membership of the Board will comprise:

• Chairman – DSB(RAF).
• The appropriate desk officer from PMA to advise on manning, posting and career prospects.
• A representative from the candidate’s Station or Unit.
• Representative(s) from the sport to advise on the level of ability and the potential of the candidate.
• Member(s) Command Secretary’s staff to advise on probity of the case.
• A member of the Directorate of Media and Communication.
• Secretary, normally DSB1(RAF)

The findings of the “Board” will be notified to the athlete as soon as possible, normally through the Chairman of the particular sport concerned.

RECENT ELITE ATHLETES

We have recently had athletes competing in both the Winter Olympics in Turin and the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Flying Officer Roger Cruickshank competed in the alpine downhill and Super G skiing disciplines, finishing 37th in both events. He has now returned to work and is currently on his flying training in his pursuit to qualify as an RAF pilot. SAC Dan Humphries was the brakeman in both the 2 and 4-man bobsleigh, and finished in 15th and 17th place respectively. Dan, an avionics technician, has now returned to work at RAF Brize Norton, but is actively seeking a GB place for the next World Championships and next Winter Olympics in 2010.

The exposure that the RAF obtained in the lead-up, during the Olympics and post event was excellent, and the investment in time and effort was most definitely a worthwhile and cost effective exercise. Both Roger and Dan appeared in local and national papers, and internet websites and online diaries, as well as conducting radio interviews and appearing on national and satellite television programmes.

ELITE ATHLETES OBLIGATIONS

Individuals who are awarded elite athlete status are required to provide a commitment to the RAF and are obliged to:

• Provide photographic and video footage of themselves in the work place and whilst competing in their sport.
• Ensure they are correctly attired in RAF corporate clothing whenever possible so that the service can gain the best exposure.
• Attend Air Shows, Fresher Fairs or similar PR events, to advertise the benefits and support that the Royal Air Force has provided in the pursuance of a career and their sporting aspirations.
• Advertise the RAF at the events that they compete in, wherever possible. (This may have to be ‘stage managed’)
• Provide post performance reports/updates supported by appropriate photographs for sponsors.
• Provide copies of all PR articles/interviews that appear in any press, or on any TV, radio, or website.
• Reconcile how any grant has been spent at the end of the competition or competing period.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING

Some additional funding to offset the cost of our elite athletes has been provided by BAE Systems, but by far the number one sponsor for RAF sport is the RAF Sports Lottery. The RAF Sports Lottery is a weekly draw, and RAF personnel are able to purchase a maximum of 5 tickets per person; 75p each ticket, Personnel can obtain an application form on JPA, Form EO15, and payment for tickets will be deducted from monthly pay.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it can be seen that the Elite Sportsperson programme brings many measurable benefits to the RAF in the form of positive publicity and recruiting benefits. It is not an easy option, as many of the athletes will tell you, to compete at their level inevitably requires more demands on them than they normally face during their normal work. . Added to this, there are considerable demands placed on them to provide media output and PR benefit for the RAF. The pride of representing the RAF on the global stage makes all the effort worthwhile.

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