By Cpl Alisha Carr
THE response to the ADF Sports Council’s (ADFSC) release of the Inappropriate Sports Listing has been mixed, however, a large number of Defence members are angered and frustrated.

One association that will be affected by the Inappropriate Sports Listing is the Australian Army Alpine Skiing Association.

Its president, Maj Christopher Harrison, said he was “extremely disappointed by the decision to list alpine skiing as one of the perceived ‘dangerous’ sports.”

“I believe to call alpine skiing dangerous is a gross exaggeration,” he said.

“I also predict that this year will be the last year we are able to hold the ADF National Alpine Skiing Titles because if COs are unable to release people to compete in the event, we obviously cannot run the competition.

“One of the great advantages of service life is being encouraged to keep fit, be a team player and face fear as part of your normal job.”

He said the Inappropriate Sports Listing signalled the death of alpine skiing within Defence.

One member who will be directly affected by the list is Capt Robert Wilton from RTC-SQ. As a paraglider pilot, his sport has been listed as ‘inappropriate’ and will no longer be recognised by the ADF.

“This surprises me, as I have found over the six years that I have been involved in this sport that there are relatively few people who know what a paraglider is and even fewer who realise the capabilities of this particular aircraft,” he said in a letter to Army.

Flg-Off Matt Doyle, DPO-AF, in a letter to the Service newspapers, said he was annoyed by the list.

“The failure of the ADF to promulgate a mature policy on the matter leads me to think that the issues haven’t really been considered,” he said.

“What I want to know is, is the ADF now going to ban all of the approved sporting and recreational clubs that exist on every base in Australia for activities such as abseiling, rock-climbing, scuba diving and water skiing?

“One certain outcome of reactionary policy making will be the loss of more experienced and valuable personnel, jaded and embittered at yet another erosion to their conditions of service and another unnecessary restriction on their lives.”

Sgt Mark Winter, Aviation Support Group Workshop, in another letter to the Service newspapers, was equally frustrated by the Inappropriate Sports Listing.

“The Army promotes perceived dangerous sports and activities by including them in various Adventure Training programs,” he said.

“It would seem that now when a member wishes to continue the activity off duty, the ADF will not sanction it.

“The ADF seems to have no problem promoting sports that have a higher potential to be career threatening because of the enforcement of AIRN, such as the football codes, netball, basketball and hockey.”

“I believe to call alpine skiing dangerous is a gross exaggeration.”

.