Buxton Students Fired Up Over Gun Challenge
9 June 2010
Students taking part in last year's Field Gun Challenge event
Students from the University of Derby Buxton will be putting their training and preparation to the test as they take part in the Junior Leaders' Royal Navy Field Gun Challenge on Friday June 11.
The 30 students, aged 16 to 24, on the Uniformed Public Services BTEC National Diplomas and Foundation Degree Courses and Sports, BTEC National Diplomas are travelling to HMS Collingwood, Hampshire, to compete against teams that include the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, Prince's Trust and Network Rail in this historic challenge.
In the competition teams race to assemble an antique field gun and run with it, disassembling and reassembling it to get around a course, before dramatically dragging the gun home.
Richard Robinson, Lecturer on the Uniformed Public Services course, said: "This is unique opportunity for our students to take part in a national competition and compete against other colleges, youth organisations and teams from armed forces. It will really test their fitness and teamwork, and many of the skills they've been learning on their courses."
To prepare for the challenge, the students have been taking part in tough physical training sessions three times a week, which have involved tyre pulling, running and circuit training.
Will Neil aged18 from Leek who is a student on the Uniformed Public Services BTEC National Diploma, said: "I'm really excited to be taking part in the Field Gun Challenge as I hope to get into the armed forces. This will give me an opportunity to experience the fundamental ideas of discipline and challenge in service life.
"The training has been tough, but has definitely brought us closer together as a team, hopefully giving us a head start on the other crews competing".
As an extra bonus experience, before and during the event, the team will be accommodated onboard HMS Bristol, a training warship still used by the Royal Navy and Sea Cadet organisations.
For more information about this news release, contact Press & PR Officer Joanna Colburn on 01332 593004 or 07909 533242 email j.colburn@derby.ac.uk
