By
LACW Simone Liebelt
TO HELP promote fitness, wellbeing and teamwork, an Air Force
Sports Council (AFSC) has been established as the single-Service
authority on all Air Force organised sporting activities.
CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston announced the AFSC on April 1, acknowledging
the need for a fit and healthy workforce to maintain operational
effectiveness and people capability.
AIRMSHL Houston said the establishment of the AFSC reflected a
commitment to encourage the physical and mental fitness of his
personnel, while providing a formal higher-level system of managing
and coordinating Air Force sport.
Previously, participation in sporting activities was approved
at unit level, subject to the sport being recognised by the ADF
Sports Council (ADFSC) in accordance with the ADF Policy on Sport
– DI (G) PERS 14-2.
After the ADFSC deemed some sporting clubs “inappropriate”
following a review of high-risk sports and activities, clarification
of the DI (G) resulted in Air Force Headquarters having the option
to approve sports that might not meet the criteria for ADF-level
approval. This led to the formation of the AFSC, with its key
role to process applications for the approval of Air Force sports
not recognised by the ADFSC.
The ADF sports policy is under review, with the ADFSC expected
to issue an updated sports listing soon.
AFSC Secretariat Wing Commander Rowley Tompsett said the Council
would be the Air Force’s main authority on sport and would
have the power to make a wider range of sporting options available
to Air Force members than those available under the current ADF
policy.
“The AFSC will support participation of Air Force personnel
in sports that accord with the objectives and criteria listed
in the policy, but in particular, activities that can demonstrate
set principles will be considered favourably by the Council for
recognition as an authorised sport,” WGCDR Tompsett said.
“These principles include the safe control of all activities,
the management of activities using standard or recognised business
practices, and the contribution of the sport as a positive and
favourable impression of the Air Force and its members.”
The Council will be chaired by Director General Personnel-Air
Force Air Commodore Ken Birrer, with Director General Capability
Management Air Commodore Stewart Cameron as the CAF representative
and Director Personnel Airmen Group Captain Roy McPhail as the
ADFSC representative. Members of various major Air Force sports
clubs, such as football, cricket or volleyball, might also be
appointed by the Chairman to support the Council.
The AFSC will oversee all sporting activities within Air Force
including the organisation, funding and implementation of regular
competitions. In addition to major Air Force sporting events run
throughout the year, local area carnivals will be arranged for
personnel unable to compete for the major trophies. A national
sports budget will be managed to fund the events and a public
relations plan will promote and inform members through an Air
Force webpage and other mediums.
All inquiries on the AFSC, including the procedures on applying
for recognition as an authorised Air Force sport, should be directed
to WGCDR Tompsett on (02) 6265 3939 or rowley.tompsett@defence.gov.au.
