Rebeca Harrison (17) from Bangor and Cadet Corporal Craig Kennedy (16) from Newtownards demonstrate their shooting prowess

 
A talent for sharp shooting has been building up the air miles for two local teenagers.
 
Cadet Sergeant Rebeca Harrison (17) from Bangor and Cadet Corporal Craig Kennedy (16) from Newtownards have been showcasing their sporting skills at the world famous Bisley Shooting Ground before heading off on another sporting expedition, this time to Canada.

Rebecca and Craig travelled to England to represent 2nd (Northern Ireland) Battalion Army Cadet Force in a target rifle training course followed by the challenging two day Inter-Services Cadet Rifle Meeting where over 620 Army, Air, Sea and Combined Cadet Force Cadets from across the United Kingdom compete for honours, making this by far the biggest shooting competition in the cadet calendar.
 
Bisley, which was officially opened in 1888 with a ceremonial shot fired by Queen Victoria, is to shooting what Wembley is to football and shooters travel from all over the world to compete on the hallowed ranges. 
 
Hot on the heels of the Bisley experience, the pair set off for Canada. 
 
Rebecca enjoyed a four week sporting tour as part of the elite British Cadet Rifle Team - known as ‘The Athelings’ from the old Anglo Saxon word for ‘young prince’ or ‘nobleman’-  to compete against the Canadian National Rifle Team. The Athelings is made up of eighteen Cadets from the Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps, Sea Cadets and Combined Cadet Force, chosen from the best shooters in the UK. During their time in Canada the team was also treated to a ten day cultural tour of Canada with adventurous training activities such as canoeing thrown in.
 
In Canada, Craig joined other cadets from all over the UK to take part in the Cadet Leadership and Marksmanship Course at Connaught near Ottawa. The venture provided further coaching and gave Craig the opportunity to compete in still more shooting competitions – and to enjoy adventurous training activities including canoeing.

Congratulating the Cadets on their sporting achievements, Colonel Keith Dowell, Commandant of 2nd (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force, said, “Our two Cadets from County Down shot really well at Bisley and they also learnt a huge amount during their time in Canada, building up their marksmanship skills.
 
“Shooting is one of the most popular sports offered in the Cadet movement and competition is incredibly tough.  These talented Cadets should be very proud of their sporting performances and I know that, now they have returned, they will use everything they have learned to support skills-building within their own Detachment. The pair have shown fantastic aptitude for shooting and we were delighted to reward their abilities and enthusiasm with expeditions to Canada, where they have refined and developed their skills still further.  Of course, being Cadets, they also had plenty of fun and adventure too!”
 
Craig said “I feel very privileged to have had so many amazing opportunities through the Cadets, particularly in connection with shooting which I love and the trip to Canada was just the best!”
 
For fellow Cadet Rebecca, the Canadian trip was a highlight of a packed year.  She says, “It was a fantastic opportunity and my family were all delighted for me.  They have close associations with the Cadet movement so they all understand what it takes to succeed and they have been right behind me, encouraging me every step of the way!”