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I feel very fortunate to have been chosen as the
14 Wing Fitness and Sports Director, especially in a time where the
CF Leadership has planned such an emphasis on the fitness levels of
the CF members.
Whether accomplished through a rigorous fitness program or
structured sports program, the Military member has a multitude of
opportunities at our great facilities under the direction of a
professional dedicated Fitness and Sport Staff.
Having served in the Navy and as a Physical Education and Recreation
Instructor (PERI) for 19 years and CFPSA 10½ years I bring a good
mix of old school and open-minded approach to the FSD position. My
time as a proud serving member led me to stops in HMCS ships,
Halifax, Bermuda, Winnipeg, Cornwallis and finally the spot I
requested for 13 years, 14 Wing, a place that my wife Shelley,
daughters Lindsay (Cpl Lindsay Williams 404 Squadron), Aleisha and
son Tyler have called home over the last 15 years. Mixed in a
rewarding career were UN duty and various support deployment roles
including morale, welfare and recreation positions.
My
last Military position was as the 14 Wing Senior PERI/Wing PERO at
the old Fitness and Sports or “Rec” Centre as we called it back in
1997.
Since
then I have been involved in the recreation world assisting Clubs,
Organizations, Special Events and providing recreation services for
the Military member and their families as the 14 Wing Community
Recreation Director. It has been a most rewarding experience and
helped me see the entire Military program. This experience also
confirmed what a true integrated community we are in the
Kingston/Greenwood and surrounding communities. Accessing the PSP
facilities with the 14 Wing Recreation cards continues to be a great
product at a great price, which if used to its full potential, is
the best deal in town.
In
the next few months I have several short-term goals including
addressing immediate facility requirements, introducing a youth
training program and ensuring all Wing EXPRES requirements are met,
which are followed by long-term goals that will lead 14 Wing to a
very high level of fitness and much success with our sports teams.
Of the Fitness and Sports (F&S) facilities that require attention,
the most obvious is the 14 Wing Greenwood Gardens. Although not in
the immediate future, a new arena is definitely something we will be
working towards as the 1940’s hangar converted to a rink in the
early 50’s has just about outlived the 15 year retrofit it received
in 1997.
14
Wing members are very fortunate to have such great facilities
accessible to them for fitness and sport activities. The pool and
arena are prime F&S facilities that can offer an alternative to the
traditional fitness classes so it would be fantastic to see more
fitness related bookings from the sections of the Wing in all
Fitness Sports & Recreation facilities.
Our
F&S staff is here to serve the military community whether it is an
EXPRES appointment, Fitness Program, Intersection/Wing Teams, casual
F&S activity, swim lessons or family related bookings.
There
are many new initiatives that will come into play in the F&S world
in the near future. The new ‘Book King Program’ for facility and
program bookings will evolve in time to a point where we will be
able do on the entire registration including payment on line. The
Community Gateway web based site will provide information to the
families on every Base/Wing in the CF on one site. The Web Expres
will feature online booking results for the EXPRES Coordinators and
the CO’s. Inputted electronically at the test site by the fitness
instructors the results should be instantaneous.
Summing up it is great to see many of the old faces (no disrespect
intended) from my last Fitness and Sport tour and work again with
such great people as Marsha England, Eric Plante and Bill Cox while
enjoying the injection of new blood in sports with Graham White,
resources with Nicole Peppard, stores with Dean Peach and our
energetic Fitness Instructors April Denny, Jenna McLeod, Pam Lowe as
well as our attendants, lifeguards and instructors. Working
continuous partnerships with the Community Recreation, Health
Promotion and The Aurora Newspaper staff is also high on my priority
list.
With
the inclusion of several position changes we have a motivated team
that are anxious to meet all of your Fitness and Sport requirements.
The newly created position of a civilian PSP Manager has been filled
by Mike Taylor, who is a strong leader and supporter of the entire
PSP program at 14 Wing, which will lead to many internal and
external partnerships and successes as time progresses.
As
the 14 Wing Fitness and Sports Director, my door is always open and
your ideas/feedback is welcome. Until next time it gives me great
pleasure to “Serve Those Who Serve”.
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