A squad of RAF personnel have won a money-can’t-buy ‘Train Like England’ experience at St. George's Park.
RAF Valley FC were given the unique opportunity to see how the national team prepare for games after entering a competition run by England's official consumer electronics and smartphone supplier, Samsung UK.
Senior Aircraftsman Finlay Hanslip, who submitted the entry, said: “The team’s made up of a great bunch of lads, including fast-jet pilots, search-and-rescue helicopter crew, air-traffic controllers and flight operations assistants.
The team were put through the paces as they trained at St. George's Park
“When I found out I’d won, I had to run it past our Station commander, Captain Pete Cracroft, to sign all twenty of us off for the day – luckily he’s a good guy.”
The experience began with transport to St. George’s Park aboard the England team bus, from their Anglesey RAF base.
They then spent the night at the on-site hotel, staying in the same suites used by the England team when at the National Football Centre.
The following day the players, dressed in full England training kit, were put through their paces by FA experts as well as specialists from Michael Johnson Performance, mirroring sessions planned for the England squad.
Inside the England dressing room
Steve Kemp, England physiotherapist, then took the team through a series of warm-up drills and performance advice.
And FA coach Mike Thorpe led them through an intense training session on the ‘David Beckham Pitch’, replicating that which the England team will undertake.
To conclude their experience, the team were able to quiz nutritional expert Naomi Datson, head of exercise science for the England Women's team, on what they might eat before or after a training session or match.
