Further education students from a college in wales won the Royal Air Force Recruiting Challenge Cup competition held at RAF Wittering yesterday.
Image by: SAC Matty Smith.
Nine students from Coleg Sir Gâr in Camarthenshire won the competition, designed to give cadets and students in Defence and Public Services based courses an insight into the RAF through a series of mental and physical challenges. Around 100 students arrived at the Cambridgeshire Station, from ten schools and further education colleges.
The competition was devised by Squadron Leader Tamzin Keenlyside, Community Careers Liaison Officer. She said: “We’ve had teams travel here from Swansea and Derbyshire, which shows you just how keen these young people are to learn about the Royal Air Force. Getting them here is one thing, but keeping them interested and occupied takes all the real work.”
Image by: SAC Matty Smith.
After a warm-up with Wittering’s Physical Education Instructors, the students took 1.5 mile run and then a fitness test before looking at the various trades and professions in the Royal Air Force. They had the opportunity to look at aircraft old and new; visiting the Harriers in the Heritage Centre and Tutor aircraft with student pilots talking to them about a career in the RAF.
Image by: SAC Matty Smith.
Squadron Leader Keenlyside continued: “The hard work and commitment the students have given to all elements of the competition has been awesome. Equally, the way RAF Wittering and RAF Recruiting have leant in to support this competition has been amazing. Thank you.”
Royal Air Force Wittering is home to the RAF A4 Force, the deployable engineering and logistics squadrons which support UK air operations across the world. The students met trainee pilots from 16 Squadron, drivers from 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron and technicians from 5131 Bomb Disposal Squadron.
Image by: SAC Matty Smith.
Image by: SAC Matty Smith.
Diana Gonclaves, a student from the Air & Defence Career College at the College of West Anglia in Kings Lynn, took home the best female athlete award. Jo Evans from the College of West Anglia said: “It’s a really valuable experience, giving the students a chance to touch the skills they’ll need in their careers.”
Image by: SAC Matty Smith.
RAF Police dogs, drill training, a 5-minute presentation on a given RAF trade, a turn on the digital shooting range and an RAF knowledge test made up the rest of the busy day.
Glyn Price, a public services lecturer from Coleg Sir Gâr, was delighted when it was announced that his team had won. He said: “Absolutely amazing! I couldn’t be any prouder of the guys, watching them grow and bond as a team has been fantastic.”
Image by: SAC Matty Smith.
Group Captain William Dole is in charge of RAF Recruiting & Selection. He said: “Competition through sport is a fundamental component of life in the RAF and teamwork is the very platform on which we operate and achieve. These qualities have been evident in every activity and event today and the teams have achieved an excellent level of accomplishment.”
