Taking the strain (l-r) Major Mickey Yendell, Corporal Dan Pain, Signaller Aaron Watson and Matt Horan of C3IA Solutions
An army tug of war team has been pulling up trees after securing sponsorship from a leading cyber security company.
C3IA Solutions was roped in to help fund the 11th (Royal School of Signals) Signal Regiment earlier this year.
To express their thanks three members of the regiment, which is based in Blandford, Dorset, visited C3IA Solutions in Poole to present them with a framed shirt.
The training regiment now has five teams of tuggers; two senior teams, under 23 and under 18 teams and a women’s team.
Its senior sides came fourth and fifth in the indoor British army championships and they were also cheered on by the Princess Royal at her Gatcombe Park estate during a competition.
The aptly named Corporal Dan Pain, captain of the team, said: “This sponsorship has really helped us reinvigorate the sport.
“We are bringing through 17 and 18 year olds who then go into the field army and are able to continue competing.
“As a training regiment we have a high turnover of people and tug of war is something that is not taught in schools so we are always training new recruits.
“Without the sponsorship we wouldn’t be able to do it. We have had some great successes and will be entering more teams into the civilian competitions.”
Matt Horan, security director of C3IA Solutions, said: “As a former signaller it is an honour and a privilege to be able to give something back.
“Tug of war is a great sport as it requires technique, teamwork, rhythm, leadership and is highly competitive.
“We sponsor a number of army sports teams and understand how important it is for them to have the kit they need.”
