Get fit with Irish Hurling

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Wood
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Members of the 48th Medical Surgical Operations Squadron say they believe hurling can help people get ready for the new Air Force physical fitness standards.

Hurling, a traditional Irish game more than 3,000 years old, is considered to be the fastest field sport in Europe, blending skills from several sports including soccer, lacrosse and hockey.

"It's a great sport and can be played by just about anyone willing to give it a try," said Maj. Tim Neylon, 48th Medical Group podiatrist and three-year veteran of the sport, who played in the North American Finals twice while assigned to the Air Force Academy.

RAF Lakenheath's team began with four members from the 48th MSGS, but in just three weeks it grew to more than 16 players from multiple squadrons. And, they are still looking for players. Regardless if people are from RAF Lakenheath or RAF Mildenhall, the sport is open to anyone with a desire to give it a try.

The objective of the game is for players to use a wooden stick resembling a shortened hockey stick with an oval-shaped head, called a hurley, to hit a small ball, called a sliotar, between the opponents' goalposts guarded by a goalkeeper.

According to Tech. Sgt. Jay Korpi, 48th MSGS Operating Room NCO in charge of Education and Training, and hurling assistant to Major Neylon, "Our initial goal is to use the indoor sessions to get people exposed to the game with the long-term goal of fielding a team or two to compete in the English league."

Major Neylon believes this is the first sole-military club in Europe; therefore, plans are in the works to play host-nation hurling clubs in London, Cambridge and other cities throughout England. He is also working contacts to arrange matches with several Irish clubs.

Players will need to provide their own helmets for safety reasons, and a hockey or lacrosse helmet is acceptable. The team is self-funded at present, but once recognized as a base approved club, any available funds will be used to defray equipment, registration and uniforms fees.