Andrew struts his stuff in several sports

We’ll let Andrew tell his own tale – and an interesting one it is, too!

Hello, my name is Leading Physical Trainer Andrew Dennis, although everyone calls me `Les’ (after the comedian who shares the same surname) or `Clubz’, the latter traditionally having been the nickname given to Physical Trainers because in the past naval personnel used to swing clubs to keep fit. I am 25 years of age and I joined the Navy in December 2000 as a Marine Engineering Mechanic. I qualified as a MEM in July 2001 and joined my first ship, HMS EDINBURGH to further my skills as a mechanic. I served for 3 years on the Edinburgh and not only did I further my skills as a mechanic; I also spent a lot of time training to become a Physical Training Instructor.

Top trainer

I left the Edinburgh in March 2004 and went onto my Leading Rates Command Course. Once this was completed I joined HMS TEMERAIRE, the Royal naval School of Physical Training, where I spent a hard but enjoyable seven months being transformed into a Physical Trainer. I completed the course successfully, and am very proud to have been awarded prizes for Top Qualifier, Top Class Taker and Top Academic.
I left the PT School and joined HMS COLLINGWOOD where I spent 12 months putting my new skills into action. Whilst there I managed to progress my skills too as I became Collingwood’s ‘Brickwoods’ Field Gun Crew PT Instructor, also running as a crew member. Now that is an interesting way to take exercise and work as a team!
In 2005 I joined HMS ENDURANCE (the Navy’s Survey ship, nicknamed the ‘Red Plum’) and did two very enjoyable trips down to the Antarctic, where we saw some of the best scenery and wildlife in the world.

Early rugby start

I had started my rugby with Saundersfoot School while playing against Tenby School and was asked to join Tenby RFC so I joined Tenby under 10s and I played there for the under 10s,11s and 12s, but unfortunately the team folded.
So I joined Narberth 13s who were coached by John Williams, along with a number of Tenby boys like Rob ‘Chunk’ James and Chris ‘Cone’ James, and stayed there until going back to Tenby to play youth rugby. We won the Griffiths’ Cup by beating Haverfordwest in a close fought final at Neyland and I also won player of the season in my last year as a youth player. I made his first team debut for Tenby against Vardre away, and played on the wing with Jon Dodd playing at full back. Tenby lost on the day but I scored an individual try breaking from my own line and out-pacing the opposition to score under the posts.

First full season

My first full season of senior rugby started at Heywood Lane in a Welsh Cup game against Falls Bay RFC, and I won the man of the match award for scoring a hat trick of tries, two of which were from my own half. After playing for two full seasons for Tenby RFC I was asked to join Narberth RFC but missed most of the first season due to deployment to the Gulf aboard HMS Edinburgh. I also missed out when I was in the Antarctic but after returning to a shore base in Portsmouth at HMS NELSON, I now travel the 234 miles every weekend to play for Narberth RFC, as well as playing in the week for Portsmouth naval base.

Navy rugby honours … And rugby league, too!

I’ve also represented the Royal Navy at rugby, playing for the RN team against the Army in the Inter Services matches at Twickenham in 2005 & 2008 in front of 50,000-plus crowds (the biggest sporting event in the RN calendar). I now have five full caps for the Navy, as you are only capped against the Army or the RAF and I also played a total of 20 times for the Navy against some good teams including French Navy , Irish Defence Forces, Oxford and Cambridge Universities and  a number of English premier club sides. I was also part of the Royal Navy ‘7s’ side in 2007 that won a number of trophies including the Dubai Overseas Winners (where the final was played in the main stadium just before the main competition final). I was part of the Combined Services 2007 squad and have been selected for this seasons Squad.
I have also two caps for the Royal Navy Rugby League team, playing in the side that won the 2008 inter services cup which we won by beating the Army and the RAF, the first time the Navy have ever won this Trophy.

Knockout Boxer

While at HMS TEMERAIRE our class took part in the Navy’s Amateur Boxing championships and as the biggest on the course I had to fight at heavyweight, having three bouts and winning them all two by knockout, which included the final – and we were delighted that  HMS Temeraire won the team event for the first time ever.

Winning the Cossack Sword

The Cossack Sword was presented to the Royal Navy Rugby Union by former player and selector, Captain Leigh Merrick Royal Navy and first awarded in 2000. The sword is for "Ground Gained and Held" and awarded at the end of each season to the player, from the Royal Navy Senior XV, whose performances over the course of the season best meet the battling qualities invoked by the heritage of the "Cossack Warrior". It was a real thrill to receive this award because there were some great players in the side. The citation made was as follows:
“Throughout the season ‘Les’ has demonstrated all the battling qualities for which the ‘Cossack Sword’ was originally awarded, and his name is worthy to sit alongside the former winners of the most prestigious playing award within Navy Rugby.”
I couldn’t help but be chuffed with such an honour!
While down the Antarctic serving as a Physical Training Instructor on the Navy’s survey ship  HMS Endurance, a few members of the football team took on the Sky Sports Cross Bar Challenge and set the record  for the team furthest south  in the world to take part in the cross bar challenge. The picture on the left appeared in a number of national newspapers including the Times and Telegraph, it also won the photographer a number of awards!

A TYPICAL DAY FOR ANDREW DENNIS AT SEA

Andrew `Les’ Dennis is the Leading Physical Trainer on HMS Endurance.
0600
A vigorous shake from the morning watch keeper, lets me know it’s 0600 for a session on the Flight Deck. I jump straight into the shower to freshen up then it’s straight up to the Flight Deck
0610
Arrive on the flight deck, with 10-12 people (Still half asleep), waiting for an abdominal workout.
0615
The session commences and it’s all about hard work and quality of exercise from this point on!
0645
End of the session and everyone is awake and ready for breakfast. I go for another shower and prepare myself for the day with a nice big breakfast (Healthy of course).
0800
It’s the start of the working day. I head up to my office to check my inbox to see what work is waiting for me! I will work in the office till 1000. This gives me plenty of time to sort all my paper work out and speak to the people I need to speak to.
1000
It’s time for `stand easy’. This gives me 15 minutes to sit down and relax whilst having a delicious protein shake.
1015
Back up to my office where I prepare a circuit for my remedial training session.
1030
Remedial training session starts. Remedial training varies, some days it will be a general circuit, some days a session down the CV Suite and some days a light weights session. It’s good to mix it up; it keeps people on their toes and also stops the session becoming tedious by being the same exercise all the time.
1115
Remedial session finishes and I head down the CV Suite for my own work out. I spend 30-45 minutes exercising before lunch, it helps build my appetite.
1200
After another shower it is time for lunch. A big healthy lunch packed full of protein, a little carbohydrate and salad. I always drink plenty of water to wash lunch down.
1230
I skip my lunch hour and go straight up to my office to crack more paper work and prepare the circuit for the evening. I get through a lot of paper work during the day. Whilst on board not only am I the Physical trainer, but my second roll is routine writer. This means I write Daily Orders for the next day, and distribute any STM’s (Ship’s Temporary Memorandums).
1400
I finish off all my paper work, and then I meet my training partner down the weights room. I spend between 60-90 minutes in the weights room, pumping heavy iron (Got to keep my body looking good, it betrays a good PTI).
1530
After my weight session I head up onto the flight deck to set my circuit up for the evening session. Once again the circuits vary every night from cardio vascular workouts to strength workouts and also into specific sports such as boxing.
1615
The circuit training starts and takes 45-60 minutes of hard work. Circuit training is one of the best forms of exercise. You hit nearly every area of the body working different energy systems and it lets people work at there own pace (to a degree), so the very fit amongst us can work extra hard, while the not-so fit people can work at a slightly slower pace (but still working at their maximum).
1715
It’s time to clear the flight deck and go for yet another shower! I use this time to relax and get ready for the evening meal.
1845
My last bit of paper work for the day. I receive Daily Orders back from the Command (Daily Orders is a programme of events for the next day. It tells everyone what is happening at what times. It gives people notice so you can plan for the next day. It is an offence for any person in the Royal Navy not to read Daily Orders.) I distribute 15 copies of Orders all round the ship and save a copy on the computer so everyone can view.
1900
Time for the evening meal. The best meal of the day. At this time you get time to sit down and enjoy a nice big meal with a dessert if you wish, and chat about the day’s events (you’d be surprised at what happens at sea!). Once the meal has finished you’ve got the evening to do whatever you want. Most evenings I’ll watch a film or have a game of cards, or some nights I may go down the sauna before heading off for an early night ready for the next day.
This is my general day to day life on board HMS ENDURANCE; however things change slightly due to Daily Orders and special events.
Life on board is what you make it, and when you’re away for 9 months of the year you’ve got to use your time wisely. For me coming away for long periods of time gives me ample opportunity to improve my fitness and physique ready to get back to the UK and participate in the sport I love. Yes, it can only be RUGBY! I encourage everyone on board to have a goal set; it gives you something to look forward and keeps you busy at the same.
But physical training is not the only thing that keeps me going on board as we have Karaoke nights, Band Nights, Flight deck sports, Penguin racing nights, pub Nights, Quiz nights and so the list goes on. So as you can see we keep ourselves amused in every way and that’s the beauty of HMS ENDURANCE.