A young army cadet from Cambridgeshire will have her fitness and personal skills stretched to the limit on an all action training course in the wide open spaces of Canada this summer.

Selected from hundreds of young hopefuls from around the UK, L/Corporal Catherine McKeever (16), from Cambourne, is one of just 14 cadets who will train and live with Canadian cadets on a course which will test self reliance and personal qualities to the full.   The ‘Connaught’ cadet leadership instructor marksman course being held at a specially equipped training centre near Ottawa between 13th July and 21st August, will  provide Catherine with high level instruction to develop skills in leadership, shooting and coaching fellow cadets. At the conclusion of her training in Canada she will take part with Canadian, French and German cadets in the Canadian National Shooting Competition.

Top Shot Catherine McKeever 16) with the Kevin Pilcher Shield

“When I was in the scouts I was looking for something different so I joined the army cadets. I never believed that one day I would be chosen for a course like this”, said Catherine. “I am very proud of my shooting and have become a member of both the PYE small bore shooting club in Cambridge and the Bunhill full bore shooting club at Bisley in Surrey. I am determined to prove I am up to the challenge and to enjoy this opportunity to the full” 

During her three years of cadet service, Catherine has served with Comberton, St.Neots and Cherry Hinton detachments and already holds a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. As a keen target shooter she has earned county shooting colours and been awarded the county’s Kevin Pilcher Shield for excellence in marksmanship two years running. At the world famous Bisley range in 2008 she won the coveted National Rifle Shooting Association marksman badge and success in Canada will mean further advancement to Cadet Leader Instructor which carries entitlement to wear the special qualification badge reserved for top level cadet shots.

Catherine is currently studying sciences, history, philosophy and ethics at Comberton Village College near Cambridge and is hoping to secure a place at Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge as the next step towards achieving her ambition of a career in medicine.