A SELF-confessed sports fanatic and captain of Bermuda's national rugby team, Derek (Bobby) Hurdle embarked on his two-year post as the Governor's aide-de-camp earlier this month, a position he looks forward to with high hopes.

Educated both in Bermuda and abroad, Captain Hurdle attended West Pembroke Primary School and Warwick Academy before spending a year in Chile as an exchange student.

He went on to complete a two-year business administration programme at the Bermuda College followed by a Bachelor of Commerce degree at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he majored in marketing and human resources. Upon graduation in 1997, Capt. Hurdle returned to Bermuda and took a job at the Bank of Butterfield.

Drafted into the Bermuda Regiment in January 1998, the Bermudian decided early on that he wanted to move up the army ranks. Following recruit camp, he enrolled in a training programme for soldiers who want to advance in the Regiment.

He became a junior non-commissioned officer and Lance Corporal in July 1998. And in January 1999, Capt. Hurdle went through the training programme again - but this time as an instructor. Shortly thereafter, he earned his second stripe advancing him to the rank of Corporal.

In September 1999, Capt. Hurdle travelled to the UK to take the Territorial Armies Commissioning Course (TACC) held at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. The three-week course led him to receive his commission in November and earn the rank of Second Lieutenant. He went on to become an instructor/platoon commander for the recruit camp in 2000 and 2001, which earned him the rank of First Lieutenant in January 2001. He was promoted to Acting Captain when he was appointed aide-de-camp on September 9.

Less than two weeks after taking on his new post, Capt. Hurdle spoke with Mid-Ocean News reporter TRICIA HILL and photographer ARTHUR BEAN about his responsibilities as Governor Sir John Vereker's right-hand man, his passion for sports and getting ready for his most important role to date - fatherhood.

Q: How did you come to assume the role of aide-de-camp?

A: When I started my military career, I didn't have any goals in sight. Like most young Bermudians, I wasn't too keen on joining the Regiment. But I found I liked it. I made some new friends plus I had quite a few of my older friends join the Regiment at the same time as me.

It was fun. So I went through the junior commissioner officer cadre and on to Sandhurst and became commissioned. Once you obtain a certain rank, you can put your name forward for this job as ADC. And that's what I did - once I found out the job was opening up, I wrote to the then-Regiment Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel David Gibbons, and expressed my interest in taking up the post of ADC.

Q: When did you first express interest and how did it progress from there?

A: I wrote the letter about four months ago. What hapens then is the Colonel puts forward names of people that he thinks are worthy of taking on the position. And out of the names that the Colonel put forward, the Governor chose me to be his ADC.

Q: Did you meet with the Governor before taking on the post?

A: Yes, we met on a couple of occasions. I performed the role of honorary ADC and also had a couple of meetings with his Excellency and Lady Vereker.

Q: How are you enjoying your role so far?

A: It's interesting. It's a really steep learning curve. There is a lot involved. But it was made a bit easier as the Governor was off the island (for the first week) so I was able to get familiar with the inner runnings and the different functions of the job.

I also assisted Deputy Governor Tim Gurney and attended a few functions last week. So it was a slow progression, but now the Governor is back, I'll have a few more functions to attend and assist with. So far, it's been entertaining and really interesting. It's keeping me busy.

Q: What are your main responsibilities as ADC?

A: I am responsible for all protocol issues and all the runnings of Government House from finances and budgets to making sure the Governor is at a particular function on time. I deal with a whole myriad of duties.

Q: What are your plans following the completion of your tenure as the Governor's aide-de-camp?

A: I am not sure yet. I have a few ideas up my sleeve, but nothing firm yet. There are a couple of opportunities within the Regiment, and outside of the Regiment there are possibilities. Right now, I am concentrating on the post that I'm in. I want to make sure that I fulfil it to the best of my ability.

Q: I understand that you are interested in working for the Ministry of Tourism at some point?

A: Well, yes I am very interested in tourism. Ever since I was taking marketing at St. Mary's, I always told people that I wanted to get into tourism. I know Bermuda both locally and overseas - I've had that opportunity through sports and I feel that I would be ideal for marketing Bermuda.

Q: You studied marketing, but have you worked in marketing before?

A: Yes, up until I took on this position, I was the assistant marketing manager for BGA. And I used to be the marketing support representative for electronic banking at the Bank of Butterfield.

Q: You are captain of the national rugby sqaud. How long have you been playing rugby?

A: Well, since I was little. But officially, I have been playing on the Bermuda senior league since 1990 upon my return from Chile. This year, I have also taken on the role of coach for the Teachers Rugby Football Club. And in June of this year, I became the public relations officer for the Bermuda Football League.

Q: Are you still playing rugby or just coaching?

A: Well, right now, I am only coaching. I injured my knee last January. That is part of the reason why I have taken up coaching - to stay involved. But hopefully after Christmas with the doctor's okay, I will start playing again. In fact, while I am still the captain of the national rugby team, they will have to elect another captain soon because they will have games before I'll be able to play again.

Q: How long have you acted as captain of the rugby squad?

A: Since 1999. But I will still be involved - helping out with the coaching and training sessions.

Q: I understand you spent some time playing rugby in the UK. Is that right?

A: I went on a trial for a bit in the summer of 2000. I was offered a contract and I went over for the pre-season to play for the Worcester Rugby Club. I played some pre-season games, but then I came back home.

It was my decision. I weighed my options and felt it was better for me to come home. And it worked out perfect for me because the West Indies Rugby Union had started just before I left that summer. I was elected captain of the Sevens and Fifteen Aside since which we played numerous games in international competition and travelled to places like Hong Kong, Argentina and Chile.

Q: It sounds like you have travelled quite a bit through your involvement in sport. Do you like to travel?

A: Yes, I love to travel. The one thing I haven't had the pleasure of doing is going on a cruise. But I have been fortunate enough to travel to Hong Kong, Argentina, Chile, and all over Europe, the Caribbean, the UK and the US. I think my travelling will diminish somewhat while I am working as the ADC, but I hope to continue to travel again once my leg heels.

Q: Do you tend to travel abroad when you take vacation time?

A: Yes, my wife Rebecca and I like to travel. But we are expecting a baby in November so that should dictate our travel in the future.

Q: Is this your first child?

A: Yes and I have to say that I am so looking forward to being a father. We didn't find out what it is because we want it to be a surprise. But becoming a father is really something. My wife and I are so excited. It's funny because the last ADC (Marc Telemaque) also had a baby in his first year in the post. And he did a really good job as ADC - so I hope to follow in his footsteps.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: I'm a sports fanatic. I'll watch any sport. My brother plays cricket and soccer so I go to watch him any chance I get. Outside of sports, my wife and I love to watch movies and in the summer time, we like to hang out on the beach.

We like to play a lot of board games at night . . . with our most recent favourite being Scrabble. When we do get time to relax, we just like to spend time with each other. In fact, it came to a point where I was so busy with the army, rugby and basketball - I play winter and summer league basketball - that we had to set aside a night to spend together.

Wednesday nights became our date nights and we still try to keep that night to ourselves. In general, we prefer a quiet evening at home, but on occasion we go to functions or to a friend's house for dinner . . . something like that.

Q: Any more thoughts on your post at ADC?

A: Well, I am really looking forward to this position. After learning that I was chosen as the ADC, I was all nerves and anticipation. But I am so looking forward to it and I know that it will provide me with a lot of good memories for the future.