The CA Brumbies took different tact with their pre-season training last week when squad and staff prepared to step outside their comfort zones and experience a five-day classic Outward Bound personal development course.

Following four weeks of drills, skills work, weights and fitness, a group of 33 players, 10 staff and three sponsors headed for Outward Bound’s National Base in Namadgi National Park, Tharwa, where they experienced a series of physical, team-building and leadership exercises.

Outward Bound uses the outdoors as the classroom to allow each participant to reach their potential in a safe and managed environment. During the course, CA Brumbies took part in a Challenge Ropes Course on the largest off-ground ropes course in the Southern Hemisphere, abseiling, set-up and utilisation of a team flying fox, several expeditions and a 25-kilometre final day hike.

At the core of the program is an experiential philosophy, which provides real and meaningful situations where participants can apply existing knowledge, draw upon past experiences, and deepen their understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. The program is facilitated so the learning is transferable to the roles participants fulfil in the organisation they serve.

CA Brumbies Head Coach – and former Outward Bound instructor – Andy Friend says the Outward Bound experience is a profound one that has potential life-changing benefits.

“We’ve had a very rewarding block of skills and fitness work over the past month, and this week is about personal goal-setting, team building and getting to know each other away from a football environment."

“This camp will throw up some physical and psychological challenges along the way that will take these guys out of their comfort zones. But this is a great opportunity for us test ourselves in an unfamiliar environment, take control of these situations and show some character which can only benefit us as we go forward as a team."

“Speaking from my own time with Outward Bound, this is an invaluable experience for the team that will not only help bond these guys but will also teach them a lot about themselves.”

To find out more information about the CA brumbies please click here.

In November Tranby College Year 10 students will experience Outward Bound, a 10 day expedition in the forests of Walpole.

Tranby College sent their first year 10 students to Walpole in 2000 and has sent further groups every year since.

By the end of the 2008 expedition over five hundred year 10 Tranby students will have benefited from this unique experience.This represents a large investment of time and money by the school. However, Tranby College believes it is an investment that is bringing major returns to the school community.

Outward Bound has been helping organisations to inspire Australians since 1956. Outward Bound is uniquely placed in working with companies on a number of levels: we train their staff, improve business performance, support their employees, create more effective cultures and help them contribute to their communities.

Hunter Youth Challenge proudly presented by Outward Bound Australia Regional Community Partnerships and supported by Coal and Allied Community Trust and Newcastle Permanent Building Society has been selected as one of three Finalist’s in the Community of the Year category for NSW and ACT.