A Fijian British Army instructor received a top prize for “inspiring” junior soldiers at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

Corporal Mataiasi Covu, 34, won an award for Inspirational Leadership at the prestigious college at Uniacke Barracks, Penny Pot Lane.

Many of the junior soldiers that Corporal Covu helped train have just graduated from the Army Foundation College.

Corporal Covu said he loved working with juniorsoldiers – and the only struggle was learning to understand each others accents.

He said: “It’s lovely to meet the Junior Soldiers, get to know them and work with them.

“To get this prize felt like winning the lottery – I was so happy and emotional!”

Army Foundation College runs unique course combining vocational education and military training.

Junior soldiers work on their leadership and team skills as part of the college’s personal and team development package.

They undertake a number of adventurous training activities, as well as physical and mental challenges, culminating in a 30-hour challenge patrol across the Yorkshire Dales.

The students have also had the opportunity to sample a wide variety of sports promoting fitness and agility.

The graduation parade at Uniacke Barracks was the finale of the course and thousands of relatives and friends watched the junior soldiers pass off the square.

“The graduation parade is the culmination of months of hard work and dedication both by the junior soldiers and the college staff that train them,” said Lieutenant Colonel William Strickland, the College’s Commanding Officer.

“The Junior Soldiers can justly be proud of their achievements at the College, and the staff and I wish them well as they go forward to the second phase of their training at different establishments throughout the country.”

Lieutenant General James Bashall CBE, Commander of the Army’s Personnel and Support Command, inspected the Junior Soldiers, presented prizes and took the salute as the military parade marched past the dais.

Junior Soldiers work on their leadership and team skills as part of the College’s personal and team development package.  They have undertaken a number of adventurous training activities, as well as physical and mental challenges, culminating in a 30-hour challenge patrol across the Yorkshire Dales.  The students have also had the opportunity to sample a wide variety of sports promoting fitness and agility.

The college opened in 1998 and accommodates 1344 Junior Soldiers.

British Army Newsroom

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