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In Profile: Valcartier
By Norman Brault
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Last year was a very busy time for the Sports Centre PSP team, which wanted to develop the new services required by our military clientele while the troops were away in Afghanistan and Bosnia. The army has recently produced a fitness manual designed to prepare members to meet army fitness standards. These include a 13 kilometre march, a 100 metre casualty evacuation and a trench dig in less than six minutes. Commander 5 CMBG, Col Hainse, used this new guide to introduce a culture change in member fitness. He has put an emphasis on workout activities and training circuits designed to prepare soldiers to meet the fitness standard. The Sports Centre is supporting this program by conducting a two-day clinic which guides members through the program with a fine-tooth comb. After this training, participants are better able to pass information on to their colleagues and start the necessary change in culture.
JTF 2 PREP CAMP
Obstacle Course training with PSP personnel Guylaine Veilleux and Pierre Labrecque
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In order to raise the preparedness level of Valcartier's JTF 2 candidates, we have established a preparation camp to precede the official selection. Before reporting to this camp, candidates must have completed individual preparation with assistance from our PSP instructors. This way, Col Hainse wants to give all interested members, both Anglophones and Francophones, the same opportunity to prepare for the JTF 2 test.
WORKOUT-STYLE SELF-DEFENCE CLASSES
More than 150 classes have been given to date as part of this discipline, including mega-circuits involving whole units. Such sessions, with participants in uniform, are very demanding with respect to the cardiovascular system and flexibility. Learning basic Tae Kwon Do movements also intrigued the young members, who greatly appreciated this new type of martial arts. The training was given by Cpl Frank Boily, 4th Dan.
RETURN TO WORK (RTW) PROGRAM
As part of the national Return to Work (RTW) program, the Valcartier Health Centre sought the Sports Centre's co-operation in setting up a fitness component. An ambitious fitness program specially designed for members on the RTW program has thus been created. The goal is to improve the mental and physical health of members recovering from a physiological or psychological injury. The RTW program is therefore a transition period between sick leave and the resumption of full-time work. Users are offered three options. First, we have the group fitness program in the form of a training circuit supervised by a PSP instructor. We also offer an aqua-fitness class for members with a moderate physical injury. Finally, an individual program is available for members unable to join group classes.
OUR STATEMENT OF CLIENT SERVICES
In order to guide and channel the energies of our PSP team, we have produced a statement of client services, which stresses the need to adapt to the changing needs of our clientele:
"Regular participation in physical or sporting activities in a healthy, safe and friendly environment is not only fun, but it also enhances the participant's physical health, social life, emotional balance and psychological well-being. That is why Sports Centre and arena PSP employees are committed to an action plan adapted to their changing needs and expectations. Honouring this commitment means making adjustments so that Valcartier can become the army's centre of excellence for physical fitness, sports and recreation."
