b'KEEPING SAILORS FIGHTING FIT IMPACT REPORT 2021Wear and tear can leave facilities in poor condition, with repairs and upgrades costly and taking time to process. Thankfully, the Royal Navys principal charity can respond rapidly wherever the White Ensign flies. The United Kingdom Naval Support Facility (UKNSF) is home to UK personnel in Bahrain as part of its long-standing maritime presence in the Middle East; where the Royal Navy promotes peace and stability in the region, as well as ensuring the safe flow of trade through some of the worlds key maritime chokepoints. For over 40 years, units of both the Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have been on patrol in the region 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Commodore Adrian Fryer, UKMCCIn 2021, UKNSF in Bahrain approached the RNRMC forAs well as RNRMC funding to create this facility, the Charity support to improve its Multi Use Games Area (MUGA). Heavylooked at other ways to bring together Units based at the use of the facility had damaged the pitch, resulting in itUK Naval Support Facility to make the most of their limited becoming unsafe to use.downtime. This included having the means to screen major The damage to the flooring of the pitch severely limited thesporting events outdoors, together with comfortableopportunity for sailors of all ranks to take part in sportingoutdoor seating. activities. This exacerbated the challenge of maintain healthThe hire of the large video screen, secured through and wellbeing, fitness, and morale during COVID-19 whenRNRMC funding, has been used to stream the European personnel were restricted to the base for extended times. Football Championships, Army vs Navy and the Six Nations The RNRMC, in conjunction with the Sports Lottery and theChampionship, all of which have contributed to improving the Rebalancing Lives Fund, stepped in to help and limit thelived experience for personnel on operations within Bahrain, damage to morale caused by the lack of sports pitch, withhe added.a new MUGA for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal AirCommodore Adrian Fryer, UKMCC, said I have seen many KEEPING SAILORS FIGHTING FITForce and Civil Service personnel stationed in Bahrain.times where the RNRMC has supported our sailors, and these Without the continued support of the RNRMC, the residentsare fantastic examples of how the RNRMC can respond IN BAHRAIN of the UKNSF would not have been able to enjoy therapidly and have a significant and very tangible positive revamped MUGA for sporting activities, including five-a-sideimpact on our people. The work of the RNRMC really has football, volleyball and dodgeball. The MUGA is possiblymade a difference and it is great to see the MUGA here used Having the opportunity to sit in front of the fire and talk openly about mythe most utilised area of real estate within the UKNSF, saidevery day.The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity recognises that quality sports facilities are needed toCommander Gary Whittles, UKNSF Commanding Officer. current stresses and physical difficulties makes me aware that my situation is help serving personnel perform at their best and get the most out of their lived experience in the not unique and there is light at the end of the tunnel.Royal Navy both at home and overseas.Scan here with your Smart Phone to hear what a difference improvements to the recreational facilities at the Naval Support Facility, Bahrain have meant to all those who are based there.30 31'