Camaraderie across borders brings together BATUS and RCEME for their first hockey game together since the pandemic
In a spirited return to international camaraderie on the ice, the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) hosted a friendly hockey game against the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) team on 22 November 2024, marking the first such event in years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The game not only celebrated the enduring ties between Canadian and British armed forces but also rekindled a long-standing tradition of friendly competition and sportsmanship at CFB Borden.
Sergeant Darren Green, the BATUS team captain, expressed his excitement about bringing the team back to Borden after years of logistical and pandemic-related challenges.
“This is the first time since COVID that we’ve been able to get a team together. It’s been difficult with reductions in manpower, fleet vehicles and other resources, but we’re thrilled to be here,” said Sgt Green.
Sgt Green, a former B-vehicle shop mechanic and now an accommodation manager for BATUS in Suffield, reflected on the diverse makeup of his team.
“Rather than a REME [Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]-only team, we brought a multi-cap badge team, including logistics, Army Air Corps, medics, and more. It’s a mix of everything, and that’s what makes this so special,” Sgt Green shared.
The game served as more than just a warm-up for the WO J.R. Muise Memorial Hockey Tournament. For BATUS, it provided an opportunity to test their mettle against Canadian competition and strengthen bonds across the Atlantic.
“Events like this are unique because they allow us to broaden our horizons, compete in new environments and experience hockey on a larger stage,” Sgt Green said.
The BATUS team overcame significant hurdles to participate, including sourcing external ice time and integrating players of varying experience levels.
“Some of our players only started three to six weeks ago, but the spirit and determination of the team are what truly matter,” Sgt Green said.
For many, including Sgt Green, the significance of the event goes beyond the game.
“It’s an honor to be back here,” he said, recalling his first experience in Canada during the WO J.R. Muise Memorial Hockey Tournament in 2017.
The friendly match highlighted the unifying power of sport, bringing together military personnel from two nations to share in a cherished tradition.
With the ice now broken, both the RCEME and BATUS look forward to future games, building on a legacy of friendship and mutual respect.
“The location, the competition, and the camaraderie—this is what hockey is all about,” Sgt Green concluded.
