The Bombers took team building to the next level during an intense and inspiring two-day training camp at the Puckapunyal Military Base in central Victoria.
Following the success of the 2024 pre-season ‘Navy-themed’ Camp at HMAS Cerberus, the AFLW program continued its collaboration with the Australian Defence Force.
This year, the 53rd Battery Royal Australian Artillery and the ADF Physical Training School delivered an unforgettable pre-season camp for the playing group.
With limited information provided beforehand, players arrived ready to face the unknown.
2025 pre-season camp was designed to test and strengthen trust, communication, and problem-solving under pressure - core skills vital to both military operations and elite sport.
Beginning with an induction onto base, players suited up in camouflage pants and face paint to ensure they felt ready to be pushed beyond their limits and were fully immersed in the world of the Australian Army.
From there, players were transported to Base Camp, where they set up military tents and stretcher beds, setting the tone for the demanding days ahead.
Day one featured a series of team-based tasks across the Range, including tyre pulls, mental strategy games and bodyweight exercises, culminating in a nighttime reconnaissance mission.
Briefed by ADF soldiers, the players were dropped at a starting point and tasked with scouting a large area for key information to deliver back to Base. They needed to travel 2km through the Range, under moonlight, without being caught by roaming soldiers with spotlights.
The aim was to secure the information requested by the ADF, from a target location, and return to the extraction point as a team without being caught. Once again, re-enforcing the importance of teamwork and relying on your teammates during hard, difficult, and stressful situations.
The second day kicked off with a 6:00am wake-up after a cold and restless night sleep.
The camp’s final challenge was a tough climb up Mount Puckapunyal. As a team, the players constructed stretchers and carried 90kg dummies to the summit, a test of strength, endurance, and unified effort.
Senior player and leader Steph Cain reflected on the experience and said how rewarding the camp was.
“It was a great chance to see our teamwork come together in unfamiliar environments, allowing everyone’s personalities to thrive and build on our connections as a group,” Cain said.
“The tasks tested us physically and mentally, but the main takeaway was our groups appetite to tackle each task without hesitation, the genuine care we show each other and the value of constant collaboration.”
Beyond the physical intensity, the camp created space for players to strengthen relationships, demonstrate mental resilience, and reinforce the team’s core values.
Aysha Ward, General Manager of AFLW, said the weekend will have a lasting impact as the players head into the season.
“It was incredible to see the group come together in such a unified way,” Ward said.
“There was real camaraderie, plenty of laughter, and moments of reflection. All of which will no doubt shape how we approach the season ahead.
“This camp was a defining moment for us and what we want to achieve this year.”
As the Bombers look toward the 2025 season, their experience at Puckapunyal is a key reminder - with trust, grit, and unity, nothing is out of reach.
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