Navy and Tickford Racing celebrate partnership

Navy and Tickford Racing this month celebrated 10 years of the highly successful Navy Industry Outplacement Program.

CAPTION: Leading Seaman Damien Smith, left, Able Seaman Nathan Steynberg, Leading Seaman Phillip Cowan and Matthew Roberts at Tickford Racing’s headquarters in Melbourne.

The program is a development program for technical sailors, which spans 12 months at Tickford Racing’s headquarters in Melbourne.

Its purpose is to provide technical sailors with industry experience in the cutting-edge and high-pressure environment of motor racing, while living and working as members of the Tickford Racing support team for one year.

Tickford Team Manager Matthew Roberts said Navy and Tickford Racing had a true partnership.

“We learn a lot from the sailors and they learn a lot from us,” Mr Roberts said.

“We have a very dynamic team and the sailors are hardworking and fit in well.

“In 10 years, we have gone from strength to strength.”

The three sailors participating this year are Able Seaman Nathan Steynberg, Leading Seaman Damien Smith and Leading Seaman Phillip Cowan.

Leading Seaman Cowan said he was looking forward to returning to the sport after his posting last year was cut short because of COVID-19.

“I’ve always been very interested in motorsport,” Leading Seaman Cowan said.

“When I saw this opportunity, I thought it would be a perfect chance to learn more and bring those skills back to the fleet.”

Leading Seaman Smith said it was an opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology.

“I’ve been following supercars closely for the best part of a decade,” Leading Seaman Smith said.

“I thought this would be a great opportunity to expand my skills and do something really different for a year.”

Sailors will complete activities in high-end diagnostics in engineering, engine component design, production and assembly and composite materials production and assembly.

While playing key roles in the preparation of the team’s cars, the sailors will also travel to all supercar events, assisting in car maintenance and repairs at track.

For further information on careers in the Royal Australian Navy, visit https://www.defencejobs.gov.au

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