Four years down the line it is great to announce that Team Army has distributed over £3m to Forces sports; quite a milestone by any standards.
Utilising the many and varied opportunities associated with Sports, Team Army has now become increasingly well established as being the best way to deliver a host of business benefits to companies trading in the defence sector. Many hundreds of teams and individuals have enjoyed that extra funding that has not only helped produce some great athletes but also helped add to the quantity, quality and fun of sport with its positive contribution to morale, operational effectiveness, recruitment and retention.
Events have featured high in the Team Army calendar; highly memorable boxing events at Stamford Bridge, Park Lane Hotel and Troxy Hall in the East end of London have been hallmarks of the Team Army heartbeat. Supporting these with Sandown racing, cricket at Lords, polo, golf, Twickenham, and one-off events such as the Musical extravaganza in Plymouth, the disabled entry in the Fastnet Race and the AFA and national football legends match at the Madjeski stadium it is fair to say the bar has been set quite high in Team Army’s success in organising, enabling and funding these great events. The showpiece for 2014 saw Team Army present the Army Sports Awards on behalf of the Chief of the General Staff (CGS) and the Army Sport Control Board in the glittering surroundings of the Guildhall, the success of which is to be repeated this November.
We have been through a series of milestone events including the summer and winter Olympics, Commonwealth Games, numerous World Championships and not forgetting the inspirational Invictus Games so enthusiastically delivered by a team lead by Prince Harry. Closer to home was the International Defence Rugby Competition – the championship crown being currently worn by the British Army team, which will again be competed for this year alongside the World Cup. These significant events have had their fair share of military contestants, achieving personal dreams but also creating the role models and inspiration for the next generation. National success has also influenced changes to the pattern of forces sport with all forms of cycling, and triathlon growing exponentially in numbers of enthusiasts.
Adaptive sports for wounded and injured soldiers have matured over the years, taking the success of the Battle Back programme and enabling many disabled soldiers to enjoy and excel in sport as part of their rehabilitation. Again, Team Army has been fortunate enough to play a small but important role in helping to fund these sporting endeavours.
Team Army cannot claim all the credit for this wonderful activity and success. But, through our loyal group of sponsors and supporters of the scheme, the efforts by the chain of command to play their part, sports officials and a fair dollop of enthusiasm, it is good to know that our £3m has certainly played a vital part in the equation. So, on behalf of our sportsmen and women, a huge thank you to our Team Army sponsors. We hope you continue to feel you get value and take pride in the support you provide to your Armed Forces through Team Army.
Raise your glass! 
Carousel image courtesy of Soldier Magazine – Graeme Main