Kinloss hosting UK Sapper Games
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
KINLOSS is hosting a national sports tournament over two days in June.
Up to 1000 soldiers will compete in the Royal Engineer Sapper Games at Kinloss Barracks, providing athletes from Royal Engineer regiments all over the UK with the chance to prove themselves against their peers.
Sports will include football, mountain biking, bridge building, climbing, orienteering and Highland Games.
39 Engineer Regiment clerk, Thomas Sherwin, confirmed the event also serves as a platform to champion sport in the Army, and identify new talent.
He said: “The Sapper Games have been running since 1983 and this is the first time the event has been held at Kinloss. We placed a bid to hold the event the Barracks has the necessary infrastructure and the CO was keen to showcase the benefits of living in the area. We were delighted to hear that our bid was successful.”
Sappers will try to take home a trophy for their Regiment. Most of the activities will be taking place on site, but some, such as mountain biking, will take advantage of the area’s varied natural landscape.
The competition days are on Tuesday, June 5 and Wednesday, June 6. The prize giving follows on Thursday, June 7.
Due to security requirements, the event will not be open to the public or veterans.
Visiting troops will also get the chance to explore, as various visits and activities are being organised for their stay.
Royal Engineers differ from other soldiers as they provide support to deployed formations. Their skills tend to be unique as they are multi-skilled soldiers, combat engineers and tradesmen.
They provide essential support to all areas of the British Army in peacetime and on operations.
Sappers entering the Royal Engineers gain a trade, and can take civilian recognised qualifications.
They have the knowledge required to use speed boats, handle explosives, build bridges, purify water, build fortifications and many other highly skilled tasks.
Engineers from 39 Regiment work all over the world, particularly in the Falkland Islands, Cyprus and supporting the UN in Sudan.
