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Ulster Rugby Team Building at Ballykinler
22 August 2007, 2:43 pm
Yesterday a 40 strong team from the Ulster Rugby Squad including players and management staff were put through their paces by the Northern Ireland Army Recruiting Team.
The Ulster Rugby Squad underwent a series of physical tasks during an intensive one day course at the Ballykinler training base in Co.Down, including the formidable assault course and climbing wall, command tasks, a field exercise and a rifle and clay target shooting competition.
As Col Rafferty, Head of NI Army Recruitment, explained;
“The Ulster players and management staff will get an insight into how the Army develops character in individuals so they might better contribute to the team and thus benefit from the Army’s teambuilding expertise. What we are aiming to achieve today is to develop enhanced team and communication skills among the players.
“The Army Recruiting Team has been running week long residential work experience courses for young people for many years now. These courses not only give students an insight into Army life but also develop self confidence and highlight strengths and weaknesses so that each might play to their strengths and better contribute to the team effort. With this in mind we condensed the week long course into a one day package, which is free of charge”.
Ulster coach, Mark McCall, had discussed the desired outcomes of the day’s activities with Col Rafferty before coming down today and thus both parties achieved their collective aims. Mark McCall said:
“We were split into four teams of ten each led by some of the younger players. The day was challenging but good fun, and for the players, a welcome break from the normal routine.
“We want to thank Colonel Rafferty for facilitating the day and I believe the skills developed here today will be put to good use on the pitch at Ravenhill.”
Ulster player and former Ireland International, David Humphreys said;
“The whole programme was very challenging but all in all great fun as well! It goes without saying that fitness was tested on several of the day’s activities but what was highlighted to everyone was the importance of communication and teambuilding skills, whether completing the assault course or a tough command task.”
Colonel Rafferty proposes running the one day course for schools and colleges’ career advisors and other representative business and community groups who might have a role to play in assisting young people in making informed career decisions.
As Col Rafferty explained; “The key purpose of this package will be to ensure that those who have an advisory role in support of young peoples’ future careers become familiar with the modern Army’s role in society, how it goes about its business and the many full and part-time opportunities available.”
As Col Rafferty explained, the character and ethos developed during the team building day are cornerstones of the skills and character set of the modern British soldier, whether serving full time in the regular army or part-time in the TA.
To view the pictures from the day please CLICK HERE
