where people can come,
aspire in their own physical achievements.
We also deliver physical education and physical training
to all of our trainees here at RAF Cosford
that are going through aviation training,
photographic training, and, of course,
our very own physical training instructors of the future.
COVID, how has it affected us here?
Well, certainly during the initial stages,
we needed to close down the gymnasium.
There was nothing different
about how the military was conducting this physical activity
than what was happening in civilian environment.
So when the government shut down the gymnasiums,
we also shut down, training ceased.
We then found very quickly that there was a shortfall
of students or trainees finishing their training
and then becoming productive members of the service
and we knew we needed to ensure that that maintained,
or that was maintained,
so the students were recalled on a scatter-type approach,
very much filtered, back to RAF Cosford.
And part of that is that we needed to open the gymnasia
or we needed to open up the opportunity
for physical activity to occur for the trainees.
Very strategically, we looked at how we could do that,
but still maintaining the legislation
the government had enforced upon us.
That was quite a challenge for us,
but what we decided to do is go outside.
We were unable to use the indoor facilities.
Much in line with the government legislation,
we took our trainees outside.
We did whatever physical training we could
utilizing body weight, mats, open spaces
that would still afford the individual's physical activity,
fitness enhancement, and the physical robustness required
to be in today's armed forces.
