September 9, 2024
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The second Braw Fitness Games took place on 31 August in Perthshire.
More than 70 teams of two were involved in the outdoor functional fitness competition held at Blairgowrie Rugby Club, including participants from the Royal Navy and Army. Highland RFCA co-sponsored the event along with Armed Forces Covenant signatory Highland Spring.
Challengers competed over ten 300-metre runs combined with ten tests of endurance. As well as providing competitors, the Royal Navy and Army set up a recruitment stand and gazebo close to the action.
The Army team of Steve Wilkinson and James Farrer finished in 18th place, with the Royal Navy team of Steven Brown and Jack McGillivray from HMS Scotia taking 61st.
The HMS Scotia team show off their finisher patches.
Braw Fitness Director and personal trainer Rhys Spackman organised the first games last year as a bit of fun to bring people to the town.
He said: “We’re part of a great community in Blairgowrie, and this is a great opportunity to bring people here.”
Rhys Spackman took a breather to receive the Armed Forces Covenant.
During the event Braw Fitness was presented with the Armed Forces Covenant.
Braw Fitness first signed the Covenant in February. By signing, it has become one of more than 12,000 organisations from across the UK to pledge support to the Armed Forces community.
Its commitment to honouring the Covenant includes pledges to:
- Help promote the Armed Forces at fitness events to aid recruitment efforts.
- Provide fair employment opportunities to members of the Armed Forces community seeking opportunities to work within the fitness events industry.
- Share content on its social media channels that may help to promote the Armed Forces.
- Promote positive and goal-orientated health and fitness within the Armed Forces.
- Provide a 10% entry fee discount to fitness events for serving or retired military personnel.
Braw Fitness is now eligible to apply for a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award. The ERS Awards encourage employers to support Defence and inspire others to do the same. The prestigious Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards are for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
Competitors during the empty keg ground to overhead lift.
Rhys set up his personal training business at the start of 2023 offering fitness boot camps. Then last October, when a unit became available at Skirmie Park in Blairgowrie, he set up a permanent base.
Rhys says it was always his dream to open a gym, where he could provide high-quality coaching and guide people through their fitness journey.
He added: “We’ve got a great little community going.”
To find out how you can support the Armed Forces, contact HRFCA’s Regional Employer Engagement Directors Roy McLellan at [email protected] or Ray Watt at [email protected].
Find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant.
Find out more about the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
Find out more about Braw Fitness.
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- The Royal Navy and Army stands.
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- A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service member attempts to lift a 70kg weight on to a barrel.
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- The water carry.
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- The empty keg ground to overhead lift.
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- Tyre rope pull.
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- Volunteers look on as a competitor pulls a weighted tyre.
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- Sandbag lunges.
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- Tyre flip.
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- Competitors lie on the grass after completing the event.
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- There was a 300 metre run between each activity.
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- The keg lift was the final event.
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- A volunteer looks on as a competitor raises a keg into the air.
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- Shouldering sandbags.
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- The over the shoulder sandbag lift and drop.
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- A team on their knees after crossing the finish line.
