NIOA teamwork at its purest was on display as our 12 Canungra Combat Challenge competitors ran, swam, grappled and crawled their way through Kokoda Barracks’ jungle training course to raise funds for Legacy.

NIOA’s “Old Man Strength”, “Blood, Sweat & Beers” and the “Straight Shooters” were among 63 four-strong teams that slogged it out over 7km of road, bush, military drills, a bone-chilling river swim and 25 obstacles on Saturday, June 18.

Old Man Strength comprising John Lawrey, Slavomir Jankusik, Joel Packer and Alex Neve proved age is just a number, covering the course in 1:19.41 to finish in the top 10. Straight Shooters (Tom Forward, Byron Court, Scott Jones and Isaac Jennings) were not far behind in 1:27.55 while Blood, Sweat & Beers’ quartet of Mick Cunneen, Dale Goodhew, Rhys Mumford and Lachlan Fleming, held up the back markers in a creditable 1:37.01.

But it wasn’t about times, and even less about placings – as CEO Rob Nioa said: just turning up to have a crack, egging on your mates…and kicking the tin for Legacy Brisbane was most significant.

NIOA is Legacy Brisbane’s major sponsor which includes branding at signature Queensland events such as the annual gala dinner in Brisbane, the Combat Challenge and Run Army. The charity helps thousands of families across southeast, central and western Queensland, providing financial and emotional support as well as developmental opportunities for children.

“Well done to all of our guys who did us proud, and thanks also to their families who came along and supported them on the day,” he said from the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris where NIOA was part of the Team Australia contingent. “The C3 is one of the main events in our major partnership with Legacy Brisbane and it’s great to see our workmates flying the flag.”

Legacy Brisbane CEO Brendan Cox said NIOA’s support was key to the success of the C3 which had a record number of participants this year and had raised more than $172,000 – and counting.

“When we started this five years ago we had 25 teams,” he said. “We are so grateful for the corporate support from NIOA which helps us grow this event, but also the fact that NIOA staff are here this morning, on the course giving it their all.”