NORTHERN IRELAND CADET HOT SHOTS

It’s one of the toughest competitions of the Cadet year, but the annual Northern Ireland Cadet Rifle Meeting at Ballykinler Cadet Training Centre held no fears for the teams from Northern Ireland’s ACF and CCFs.

The challenging competition took place over 2 days and consisted of both individual and team events.  The cadets called on their reserves of team spirit and energy and all put in fantastic performances.

Congratulating them all, Colonel Johnny Rollins, Chief Executive of the Reserve Forces & Cadets Association Northern Ireland, said, “Rifle shooting is undoubtedly one of the most disciplined of Cadet skills, and it is a difficult skill to master, but it is also one of our most popular activities.   The sporting standards are consequently extremely high and this really was a hard fought competition – the cadets all have every reason to be proud of themselves!  

“Falling at a time of the year when most teenagers are frenetically preparing for the start of the exam season, this competition provides a welcome opportunity for Cadets to enjoy a relaxed weekend away from home as they test their rifle shooting talents. The Army Cadet Force has always helped young people to gain confidence and build friendships, all of which helps them to cope better with the pressures of modern life.  I know that, following the Northern Ireland Cadet Rifle Meeting, our Cadets will have returned to school and college refreshed, recharged and energized, having enjoyed a healthful and fulfilling weekend.”

The results of the competition were as follows:

Winner of Match 1: Cadet Sergeant Ben Hazelton of Cookstown Detachment ACF
Winner of Match 2 and Individual Champion at Arms: Ryan Lindsay of Campbell College CCF
Winners of Match 3: E Company, 2nd (NI) Battalion ACF
Winners of Matches 4 and 5 and overall Champions at Arms: F Company, 2nd (NI) Battalion ACF

Congratulations to all of the teams for a great effort.

Pictured above are the overall winning team from F Company, 2nd (NI) Battalion ACF; from left are Cadet Luke Tyler; Cadet Bombardier Charlie Griffith; Colonel Johnny Rollins; Team Captain, Cadet Corporal Shaun O’Reilly and Cadet Corporal Kim Lindsay.