SPIRIT IS A SHORT WAY TO SUCCESS
FORMER footballer Chris Short reckons his newly-launched army training camps will help build the leadership and team spirit that all successful teams need.
The 53-year-old, younger brother of Craig, featured for Scarborough, Notts County, Sheffield United, Stoke City and Hinckley United after starting out with Pickering Town.
Short then moved into the strength and conditioning field, working at a host of clubs. He is currently in the sports science team at Oxford United, but, given he’s working four days a week, has had time to plan his new venture.
“When I was a player I did army training camps,” he explained. “You gravitate towards the things you like, and fitness and conditioning was a big thing for me.
“You are being tested and you do things you never usually do. It might be the opportunity to fire a live weapon or be in a military vehicle.
“You’re surprised by what your friends can and can’t do. Your respect for your teammates increases.
“It might just be one or two days, but you are immersed in that background, and being drilled and conditioned.”
While it may prove more popular with professional teams, Short believes any club can take advantage of something like this.
“It doesn’t matter what part of the pyramid you’re in – whether it’s top level or the lower echelons of NonLeague,”
he said. “Team spirit is vital and this is one way of creating that.
“For one or two days it can be valuable and rewarding. This is something slightly different and can be a break from the monotony of training. It can build confidence and communication skills.
“It’s trying to bring out people’s resilience and robustness. Until you are put in a situation where you are tested, sometimes you don’t know what people can do. This way, you can find out very quickly.
“Everyone now talks about recruitment of players but the recruitment of the right people is probably the most important thing. If you get the right people on board, you’ve got a great chance.”
Short is keen to offer the camps at multiple army barracks, but is currently focused on one in particular, whose location is being kept under wraps for now.
“I want to try to offer a service which is exceptional,” he said. “The army boys are really keen and they want to get the first clubs in. It’s pretty much starting now.
“I think it’s a great way to build team spirit. Prices are negotiable and can reflect the league that teams are in.
“Whether it’s Weymouth or Manchester United, the service the army and we will deliver will be the same.”