Image Gallery: December 2009
18 December 2009
Cowboys Go Green
If teamwork in the Cowboys looks a little slicker next year the reason may lay in a patch of jungle just west of Tully.
The Army and the Cowboys NRL club came together last week in a pre-season three day training camp from hell. The jungles of Tully arguably present one of the toughest military training complexes in the world. And it was in that setting that the Cowboys mettle was tested to the max.
While the cowboys weren’t armed (only their military escorts were) they carried packs and made their home under the jungle canopy as they learned fieldcraft and performed tasks designed to build teamwork and develop leadership.
The training came as a complete surprise to the players who had no idea what they were in for. It was a challenge from the start with a midnight’ kick off’ and little time to adjust to changed circumstances prior to a PT session that lasted until first light. For Carl Webb not knowing what to expect added to the challenge. “It was tough but we all got through it together and had fun with it,” he said. Part of the ongoing fun included having private possessions confiscated before being issued military kit as a prelude to a 5 KM march deep into the rainforest to find their new home – a jungle camp devoid of modcons.
Practical lessons then followed covering fieldcraft, radio procedures; first aid and field hygiene equipping the new ‘recruits’ with the basics for jungle survival. When darkness fell the night quickly became black as pitch under the canopy. This presented new challenges for many players, snuggled amongst the weeds, who’d never slept on anything other than a comfy bed. Those expecting a peaceful night sleep would be disappointed. The jungle soon echoed to noises of sharp toothed furry creatures, not all of them friendly, foraging. The players also had to maintain a watch system throughout the night which included finding and waking their replacement-done by feeling their way along a communication cord that ringed the camp.
If the cowboys weren’t strong on team work before day two they certainly were by sunset. The day presented gruelling challenges that needed collective solutions. First came a 5 km stretcher carry – not on formed tracks – but through difficult terrain along and though Jarra Creek, chest deep in places. Just when they thought it couldn’t get harder the players found a trailer conveniently in their path that needed to be relocated to a site two hours away along a steep and muddy track. And the fun didn’t end there, as ropes were used to haul stores up and down ravines on yet another ‘special mission’. By nightfall the hungry footballers had earned the remainder of their ration pack but seemed a little disappointed at the rather meagre portions on offer after all that hard work. For some of the fittest players going around the challenges had taken them to the edge of the envelope. According to Shannon Gallant the experience was tough but worthwhile as the team united. “We’re fitter and better for it but I’ll have blisters through to the new year” he joked.
Coordinating the training, Captain Sebastian Aleksandrowicz said the real benefit for the participants was the level of mental and physical toughness, beyond sheer athleticism, required to build teams in challenging environments. “It’s also about developing leadership skills and building respect for one another – not that those are lacking here – but we can certainly help to enhance those qualities,” said Captain Aleksandrowicz. Coach Neil Henry agreed adding that it was great to get the players out of their comfort zone, bonding together in a hostile environment. “What’s really pleasing is that a few players have stepped up and shown some leadership that hadn’t done before,” he said. “We’ve seen perseverance and other positive qualities emerging helped along by our Army mentors.” For the officer in charge, Captain Paul MacKenzie, the training benefit cut both ways. “This activity has allowed our junior instructors to fine tune their training and communication skills,” he said.
Day three started with bang as insurgents (firing blanks) attacked the camp. With their new found skills the Cowboy were able to withdraw in good order, stealthily moving through the jungle to escape their pursuers. Once clear of the jungle, a rapid forced march took the cowboys to ‘safety’ and yet another challenge – the dreaded obstacle course. As every soldier who has been through Tully knows there’s no easy way out of the place. After days of exhausting toil all must tackle the obstacle course and the Cowboys were no exception. Team work was the key and the footballers employed it well aided by their superb fitness – the outcome a completion time that compared well with the most experienced jungle hardened troops.
For physical training instructor Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Andy Cutts the successful culmination of the training was no surprise. “They were sensational, great teamwork, great leadership – the players really put in, every second of the day, just nonstop,” he said. “With every challenge the boys just got together decided what they were going to do, then sorted it out and just did it.”
The cowboys may be back to a more conventional form of training this week but going on the determination in their eyes there’s still a little jungle grit under the fingernails...
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