Last weekend, a group of Rovers’ academy players - consisting of U18 and U16 players - and staff travelled to Wales, taking part in the Fan Dance winter race.

The Fan Dance Series is an event hosted in both winter and summer, with participants tackling a demanding 24km test march over Pen y Fan – the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons (886 meters).

While staff took part in a non-load bearing event, the players endured the load-bearing race, meaning that their bags had to weigh a minimum of 25lb in order to be eligible.

All fourteen Rovers’ players completed the event.

Following the conclusion of the event, Academy Manager Hannah Dingley explained the challenges that Rovers’ academy contingent had faced on the day.

“The aim was to push the boys out of their comfort zones,” stated Hannah.

“As trainee footballers they have a good level of fitness, but the Fan Dance requires a different type of endurance.

“They also need the mental toughness to keep going for 4-5 hours of walking/running on uneven surfaces, going up and down steep inclines and wading through rivers. To add to the challenge mother nature wasn’t on our side.

“There were 90mph winds at the top of Pen Y Fan which made it difficult to stand up, let alone walk and the rain made sections of the course thoroughly miserable.”

The event is the world’s oldest special forces test, with the race founded, organised and managed by veteran SAS and SBS soldiers – the winter series is seen as one of the most challenging tests of all.

“We are so proud that the boys completed the Fan Dance,” continued Rovers’ Academy boss.

“The event is already really challenging, that’s why it’s used for SAS selection, but when you add in the wind and the rain - they all showed fantastic resilience to complete it.

“It was particularly pleasing the way the group supported each other. The leadership skills and comradery they demonstrated when things got difficult will put them in good stead for the rest of their apprenticeship and for later life.

“I’d like to thank AEE for allowing us to take part in the event, the event staff were brilliant and got the right balance of supportiveness and ‘tough love’. I’d also like to thank Gloucestershire Army Cadets, and in particular Captain Scott Tait, for lending the boys the equipment they needed to take part in the Fan Dance.”