A thing or five about Ex STRONG CONTENDER 2024
February 6, 2024 - Lt(N) Josh Ehnisz, Public Affairs Officer, 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group
Exercise STRONG CONTENDER 2024 took place from Jan. 15 to 19, filling 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton with plenty of sweat, tears and hopefully very little blood. But, what is Ex STRONG CONTENDER all about?
Here’s a primer:
What is Ex STRONG CONTENDER?
On Jan. 15, the Edmonton Garrison Fitness Centre was buzzing with excitement as troops from across 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group gathered to participate in the annual Exercise STRONG CONTENDER (Ex SC) 24 competition. The adrenaline was pumping as they competed in six intense sports: hockey, soccer, volleyball, powerlifting, grappling, and TAC Athlete. For a whole week, the contestants represented their units with pride, battling it out as individuals or as part of a team.
With games going on late into the night, the competition was fierce as they fought to advance through the brackets and become the champions for each sport and, ultimately, the overall champion. It was an intense week of non-stop action, and the atmosphere was electric!
Why do Ex STRONG CONTENDER?
This event is not just about showcasing soldier skills; it’s also an opportunity for them to network and meet fellow soldiers while competing. The adrenaline rush of competing with other soldiers, socializing with them, and improving relationships outside of traditional military training exercises makes this event crucial for maintaining good morale.
So who won Ex STRONG CONTENDER 24?
The competition was a thrilling event, with each unit being cheered on with fervent chants. An electrifying moment was when 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) won the gold medal in the hockey game and the entire arena erupted in cheers of "3 VP!" The game was even watched by Edmonton Oilers alumni Kevin Lowe and Chris Joseph, adding to the moment's excitement.
Each unit could hear its unique chant dedicated to them, showing the passionate support from their fans. This was evident as each team won out a sport, from 3 PPCLI for soccer to 1 PPCLI for volleyball, the 3rd Canadian Division team for powerlifting, 2 PPCLI for grappling, and a mixed 1 Field Ambulance/408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron team for TAC Athlete – everyone had a reason to cheer.
Photo by MCpl Cass Moon, 3rd Canadian Division Public Affairs
Photo by MCpl Cass Moon, 3rd Canadian Division Public Affairs
After a grueling week of competition, with each unit pushing their physical and mental limits, 1 PPCLI emerged as the ultimate champions. The team was declared the aggregate champions, and they received their champions banner during the closing ceremonies on Jan. 19, igniting another wave of cheers and applause. The competition was a true spectacle, showcasing the best of what each unit had to offer.
What happens at the units if most of the soldiers are competing?
Soldiers are always up for a challenge, and what better way to challenge themselves than through sporting events! These events are not just about physical fitness, but also about building team cohesion and camaraderie. After weeks of hard training, soldiers come together to put their skills to the test and push their limits to the max. Participating in sports is not just about winning or losing, it's about building morale and establishing strong bonds with fellow soldiers. These exercises instill trust not only in the soldier next to them, but also in the entire unit they would be deployed with.
But that's not all! Unit leadership sees these events as an opportunity to co‑ordinate face‑to‑face and better prepare for future exercises and operations. So it's not just about sports, it's about honing their skills, building relationships and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead.
Will it be happening again?
The exercise is conducted annually in some capacity. Despite unit commitments, a champion is still expected to emerge in 2025.
Photo by MCpl Cass Moon, 3rd Canadian Division Public Affairs
Photo by Cpl Gabriel Honsinger-Lefebvre, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging
Photo by Cpl Gabriel Honsinger-Lefebvre, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging
Photo by Cpl Gabriel Honsinger-Lefebvre, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging