Australia and New Zealand’s top Army, Navy and Air Force cadets converged on Canungra’s Kokoda Barracks on July 10 to complete the final stage of the Chief of Army Cadet Team Challenge, the nation’s premier team competition for Australian Army Cadets.
The week-long event brought together 160 Australian cadets and 10 New Zealand cadets, with teams spending six days completing physically and mentally demanding activities designed to test leadership, resilience and teamwork.
The final challenge saw teams tackle a confidence course featuring a tower jump into water, obstacle courses and endurance-based activities before the presentation of the Chief of Army Trophy.
National Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major Cadet Warrant Officer George Hancock said the challenge was designed to push participants while reinforcing the importance of teamwork.
“They’ve just finished their 72-hour challenge where they’ve done things like stretcher carries, endurance marches, they’ve been pushed to their limits in a safe environment where they’re able to see how far they can actually go,” he said.
“They’ll then finish it all off with a parade where they’ll gain their awards for their effort over the week.”
Mr Hancock described the event as the highest-level national activity available to Australian Army Cadets.
“This is the premier challenge for the cadets,” he said.
“We have three major national activities, and this is the senior-most of those activities during the Chief of Army’s Team Challenge.”
He said participants represented regions from across Australia, alongside Navy, Air Force and New Zealand teams, with organisers hoping to continue expanding the event.
“Last year we had 14 teams, now we have 16 and we aim for 18,” he said.
“It’s all about giving the cadets more of an opportunity.”
Mr Hancock said the greatest objective for all the cadets was personal growth.
“Of course, they’re all here to compete and try to win,” he said.
“But most importantly, they’re here to push themselves and work as a team.”
The challenge starts off with a 10ft leap into the freezing cold Coomera River alongside team mates which Mr Hancock says “puts you into the right mindset.”
“Once you’re in the mindset, the cold doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter you’re tired or you’re sore, the adrenaline is going and you’re there to get through,” he said.
The overall Cadet Team winner of the challenge was the South Queensland Brigade Team One.
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