Armed Forces Sports Release #

2008 WOMEN IN CISM WEEK . . . CANADA

By Ms Claudia Berwager,
Army Sports, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA

US Contingent l-r: Cdr Sue Himes (Navy), Col Jill Chambers (Army), LCdr Carol Stundtner (USCG), Capt Sarah Plummer (USMC), MSgt Karrie Warren (USAF), and Capt Angie Diebal (Army)

Courtesy Photo,
Ms Claudia Berwager, Army Sports, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA

Military women from 23 countries converged on the Royal Military College – on the shores of the Saint Lawrence River in Kingston, Ontario, Canada - for the first of what is anticipated to be an annual, “Women in CISM” Week June 15-22, 2008. All four CISM continents – The Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia - were represented with contingents from countries as varied as Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Barbados, Latvia, Swaziland, Russia, Venezuela, France, Namibia, Germany, Brazil, Jamaica, Lesotho, Ireland, Canada, Jordan, Chile, Norway, Bosnia and Herzegovina, United States, and Trinidad and Tobago participating in the week-long event.

Costumed participants from Barbados, Jordan, Jamaica, Lesotho, and Brazil pose on Culture Night.

Courtesy Photo,
Ms Claudia Berwager, Army Sports, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA

The United States’ contingent included a female military member from each service and Col Jill Chambers (Army) was the Chief of Mission. US Representatives included Commander Sue Himes (Navy), Lt Commander Jill Stundtner (Coast Guard), Capt Sarah Plummer (Marine Corps), Capt Angie Diebal (Army), and Master Sergeant Karrie Warren (Air Force).

Multi-cultural group, including MSgt Karrie Warren (2nd from right), discuss women's issues and challenges.

Courtesy Photo,
Ms Claudia Berwager, Army Sports, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA

The week kicked off with a daylong symposium. Lt Col Rinette Hulme from Namibia, President of the Women in CISM Commission, expressed her hopes that this event would be productive, expand knowledge of CISM within female military members, and that the event becomes an annual official CISM event. Mr. Roy Hillier, International Sports Manager for the Canadian Forces, gave a detailed overview of the structure and concepts of CISM – which proved invaluable to many of the participants who were not familiar with CISM.

Col Jill Chambers discusses strategy with her teammates from Norway, Jamaica, France, and Canada #4520

Courtesy Photo,
Ms Claudia Berwager, Army Sports, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA

Two inspirational military members from the Canadian Forces made presentations in the morning session. Capt Kim Fawcett, an accomplished triathlete in spite of being a recent amputee, spoke of the challenges she faces within the military due to her disability. Capt Meagan McGrath enraptured the audience with her memories and photos of mountain climbs she has made. At age 28, Capt McGrath has climbed the “Seven Summits” which includes summits on all seven continents including Everest, Kilimanjaro, and Denali. In 2008 she also completed the “Marathon des Sables” – a six-day, 151-mile endurance race through the Sahara Desert in Morocco.

Capt Angie Diebal on the climbing wall.

Courtesy Photo,
Ms Claudia Berwager, Army Sports, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA

During the afternoon session, groups discussed challenges and issues within CISM sports and sports in general, and then out briefed the group on their experiences and suggestions for improvement. The results of this session were forwarded to the CISM Secretary General, Board of Directors, and will be a valuable tool for the Women in CISM Commission.

Although each nation sent a “team” of 1-5 women with varying sports backgrounds and skill levels, most never participated together on the same team. Teams comprised of women from many different nations competed in activities including Ultimate Frisbee, kickball, “Urban Orienteering”, taekwondo, shooting, rock wall climbing, and fencing. New teams were formed for each event, so that everyone got to know each other as the week progressed.

Some comments received from the US Delegation included:
- “Overall, an amazing experience! “
- “What a great week! I couldn't wait to get home and tell everyone about everything we did.”
- “Tremendous opportunity …to interact with the women from so many other militaries and find out
what they do/what their policies are, etc.”

Following the CISM motto of “Friendship Through Sport”, as the week progressed, what started out as more than 80 individuals, ended up as 80 friends from all over the world. Competition, idea exchange, cooperation, diversity, and the sharing of cultural backgrounds all led to the participants developing a deeper understanding and respect for those from other nations.>

The Netherlands has agreed to host the next “Women in CISM” week and hopes to host the event in Mid-July 2009 in Breda, Netherlands.

2008 WOMEN IN CISM WEEK . . . CANADA
By Ms Claudia Berwager, Army Sports, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA
	US Contingent l-r: Cdr Sue Himes (Navy), Col Jill Chambers (Army), LCdr Carol Stundtner (USCG), Capt Sarah Plummer (USMC), MSgt Karrie Warren (USAF), and Capt Angie Diebal (Army) Courtesy Photo, Ms Claudia Berwager, Army Sports, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA

Military women from 23 countries converged on the Royal Military College – on the shores of the Saint Lawrence River in Kingston, Ontario, Canada - for the first of what is anticipated to be an annual, “Women in CISM” Week June 15-22, 2008. All four CISM continents – The Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia - were represented with contingents from countries as varied as Sri Lanka, Ecuador, Barbados, Latvia, Swaziland, Russia, Venezuela, France, Namibia, Germany, Brazil, Jamaica, Lesotho, Ireland, Canada, Jordan, Chile, Norway, Bosnia and Herzegovina, United States, and Trinidad and Tobago participating in the week-long event.

	Costumed participants from Barbados, Jordan, Jamaica, Lesotho, and Brazil pose on Culture Night. Courtesy Photo, Ms Claudia Berwager, Army Sports, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA

The United States’ contingent included a female military member from each service and Col Jill Chambers (Army) was the Chief of Mission. US Representatives included Commander Sue Himes (Navy), Lt Commander Jill Stundtner (Coast Guard), Capt Sarah Plummer (Marine Corps), Capt Angie Diebal (Army), and Master Sergeant Karrie Warren (Air Force).

	Multi-cultural group, including MSgt Karrie Warren (2nd from right), discuss women's issues and challenges. Courtesy Photo, Ms Claudia Berwager, Army Sports, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA

The week kicked off with a daylong symposium. Lt Col Rinette Hulme from Namibia, President of the Women in CISM Commission, expressed her hopes that this event would be productive, expand knowledge of CISM within female military members, and that the event becomes an annual official CISM event. Mr. Roy Hillier, International Sports Manager for the Canadian Forces, gave a detailed overview of the structure and concepts of CISM – which proved invaluable to many of the participants who were not familiar with CISM.

	Col Jill Chambers discusses strategy with her teammates from Norway, Jamaica, France, and Canada #4520 Courtesy Photo, Ms Claudia Berwager, Army Sports, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA

Two inspirational military members from the Canadian Forces made presentations in the morning session. Capt Kim Fawcett, an accomplished triathlete in spite of being a recent amputee, spoke of the challenges she faces within the military due to her disability. Capt Meagan McGrath enraptured the audience with her memories and photos of mountain climbs she has made. At age 28, Capt McGrath has climbed the “Seven Summits” which includes summits on all seven continents including Everest, Kilimanjaro, and Denali. In 2008 she also completed the “Marathon des Sables” – a six-day, 151-mile endurance race through the Sahara Desert in Morocco.

	Capt Angie Diebal on the climbing wall. Courtesy Photo, Ms Claudia Berwager, Army Sports, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA

During the afternoon session, groups discussed challenges and issues within CISM sports and sports in general, and then out briefed the group on their experiences and suggestions for improvement. The results of this session were forwarded to the CISM Secretary General, Board of Directors, and will be a valuable tool for the Women in CISM Commission.

Although each nation sent a “team” of 1-5 women with varying sports backgrounds and skill levels, most never participated together on the same team. Teams comprised of women from many different nations competed in activities including Ultimate Frisbee, kickball, “Urban Orienteering”, taekwondo, shooting, rock wall climbing, and fencing. New teams were formed for each event, so that everyone got to know each other as the week progressed.

Some comments received from the US Delegation included: - “Overall, an amazing experience! “ - “What a great week! I couldn't wait to get home and tell everyone about everything we did.” - “Tremendous opportunity …to interact with the women from so many other militaries and find out what they do/what their policies are, etc.”

Following the CISM motto of “Friendship Through Sport”, as the week progressed, what started out as more than 80 individuals, ended up as 80 friends from all over the world. Competition, idea exchange, cooperation, diversity, and the sharing of cultural backgrounds all led to the participants developing a deeper understanding and respect for those from other nations.>

The Netherlands has agreed to host the next “Women in CISM” week and hopes to host the event in Mid-July 2009 in Breda, Netherlands.