Left to right: ABCD Stephen Borbley, Dixie Foord, LEUT Max Muller. Most of the other winners were deployed to East Timor when the Shield was presented at the HMAS WATERHEN Ball at the Sebel Town House.

AUSCDT One has taken the RAN's new physical fitness policies on with vigour.

Team One has instigated a new competition among its members, to encourage excellence in physical fitness, to be known as the Dixie Foord Shield.

WOCD Raymond "Dixie" Foord swam ashore for the last time in late 1999 after 33 years service to the Navy, one of the "Old and Bold" RAN divers.

Dixie is held in extremely high regard by all members of the clearance diving branch, and is remembered as a man who "made it happen."

He also knew the value of a physically fit diver.

Due to the physical nature of clearance diving operations, strength and endurance are integral parts of a diver's professional training.

To this end, AUSCDT One's daily routine begins religiously with an hour of PT.

Naturally, a certain amount of healthy competition exists between team members.

The Dixie Foord Shield has been implemented to test fitness levels, encourage improvement in physical performances and to record those who have achieved commendable results.

The test consists of a 2.4 kilometre run, a 500 metre fin, push-ups and sit-ups (to a cadence) and the diver's favourite, chin-ups.

The competition is divided into two age groups, 30 years and under and the over 30's.

Each facet of the test is allocated points to give an aggregate total.

The tests are conducted three times a year, and the yearly winners are recorded on the shield.

The winners in the under 30s division were: 1st - ABCD Shirley; 2nd - ABCD Borbely; and 3rd - ABCD Purcell.

In the over 30s division the winners were:
1st - LSCD Timms;
2nd - LEUT Muller; and
3rd - LSCD Callard.