Future Stars Under Fire: Carrick Rangers U12S Conquer Forest Fitness NI!
Football isn’t just about what happens on the pitch; it’s about the friendships forged off it. This past weekend, the Carrickfergus Rangers Under-12s swapped their jerseys for tactical vests and headed into the wilderness for an epic team-building day at Forest Fitness NI.
The mission? To take on the legendary S51 Airsoft course.
Strategy, Stealth, and Skirmishes
As the sun broke through the trees, the squad met the instructors at the S51 zone. For many of the boys, this was their first taste of Airsoft, and the excitement was electric. After a safety briefing and getting geared up with their goggles and kit, the team was split into two units: Red Team vs. Blue Team.
The games tested the boys in ways a training session never could:
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Communication: You can’t defend your base if you aren’t talking to your teammates!
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Leadership: We saw some natural captains emerge, shouting out tactical “flanking” maneuvers and guiding their friends through the brush.
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Perseverance: Crawling through the undergrowth and navigating the S51 bunkers required plenty of “Rangers Grit.”
Lessons from the Forest
While there was plenty of “pew-pew” action and high-speed chases through the trees, the day served a bigger purpose. Watching the lads work together to capture the flag or protect a “VIP” teammate showed a level of maturity and teamwork that will serve them well when they return to the league.
“The energy today was incredible. Seeing the boys laughing and working together in a totally different environment is exactly what we need to keep that team spirit high for the rest of the season.” — U12 Coaching Staff
A Big Thank You
A massive shout-out to the crew at Forest Fitness NI. Their instructors were fantastic with the kids, ensuring everyone stayed safe while having the time of their lives on the S51 course. It’s a world-class facility right here in Carrickfergus, and we are lucky to have it!
Back to the Pitch
The boys might be coming home with a little bit of mud on their boots and a few stories about their “heroic” last stands in the forest, but they are returning to the pitch more united than ever.
We are incredibly proud of how the Under-12s conducted themselves—showing great sportsmanship and representing the Carrick Rangers name with pride.
Up the Gers!
Check out our new game mode, Medivac. We have a casualty on a stretcher, with a mercury tilt switch and bomb. If the casualty is tilted more than required, the alarm or bomb goes off!
Check out www.forestfitnessni.com for your next teambuilding day!
