Nine hundred soldiers from all over the Netherlands participated in the sports day of the Airmobile Brigade in Assen today. They competed for the coveted trophy on the grounds of the Johan Willem Frisokazerne and at the BaggelhuizerplaseOne and a year of fame within the brigade.
In teams, the soldiers hurtle down an inflatable assault course, race with canoes and clamber upside down on ropes. Not just for fun, but also as a test of their willpower, stamina and team spirit.
At the barracks, the soldiers mainly practice sports such as football, hockey and basketball. There are badminton competitions in sports hall De Ellert and a beach volleyball net is stretched over a sand field.
Sports instructor Wouter Oostindjen keeps a satisfied eye on the participants from the sidelines. According to him, such a sports day is important for the military. “Sports is one thing, to keep you fit. This day does not necessarily contribute to that physical training, but it does to the mental part. You form togetherness and that fraternizes.”
A few kilometers away, the Baggelhuizerplas is the scene of assignments that are more suited to military practice. Making a crossing with a boat, walking with a map and an obstacle course. ‘The hell of the North’ is what the sports instructors call this part of the sports day.
The most prestigious event takes place on an open field between the trees: the tug-of-war championships. The ultimate hand-to-hand strength test that every team wants to take on. Shouting loudly, the soldiers encourage each other and themselves, while trying to lash as hard as possible on a thick rope.
“There’s really super power involved and it’s all about team spirit,” says Corporal Dennis. He doesn’t walk away with the most coveted trophy of the day: his tug-of-war team loses all the pots. “Unfortunately yes,” he says with a smile. “Our heavyweights couldn’t compete anymore, so unfortunately we lost everything.”
The win in the tug-of-war eventually went to the 11 Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron. The first prize for the entire sports day was won by the 12 Infantry Battalion.