SSgt Jay Raine has been involved with numerous sports throughout her career but in recent years she has specialised and excelled in Tug of War.
During the 2019 season she continued in her role as the Team Captain. This involved assisting the Coach with the preparation of AIs, travel and accommodation arrangements and the co-ordination of team members attendance at competitions. The 2019 season proved especially difficult with the ATOWA coach, secretary and several squad members being deployed overseas. After a few competitions, the decision was made for the team to cease competing due to lack of available personnel, this did not deter SSgt Raine who immediately started training with Bedford Ladies, the leading team within the sport.
This involved huge sacrifices for SSgt Raine who had to travel from Colchester to Bedford for training twice a week and every weekend to competitions the length and breadth of the country.
SSgt Raine competed at the English National Championships for Bedford Ladies where they won Gold in all four categories, a clean sweep. The team were then selected to represent England at the UK National Championships and obtained a Silver Medal competing as England and Gold and Silver competing in the Open Club Championships.
In addition, SSgt Raine represented England with Bedford Ladies at the European Tug of War Championships winning 2 Bronze Medals in the Open Club Championships and a Bronze Medal wearing the red rose of England. This surpassed her achievements representing England in South Africa at the World Championships in 2018.
SSgt Raine continued to use her positive attitude to keep the members of the squad interested in the sport throughout the fallow season of 2020 leading to a re-invigorated Army Ladies squad assembling in 2021. SSgt Raine had her season cut short due to deployment to the Falklands, but she has been supporting the squad from afar with encouragement and enthusiasm.
SSgt Raine is nominated for recognition due to her unparalleled dedication to the sport and her positive portrayal of serving personnel across the civilian elements of our sport up to European and World level.