Young Roofers Team GB do us Proud
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On the 14th-16th November, Team GB headed to Lucerne, in central Switzerland for the 24th World Championship for Young Roofers and the 60th International Federation for the Roofing Trade (IFD) Congress.
At the last championship, back in 2010, Team GB had the home advantage as the National Federation of Roofing Contractors hosted the competition in Belfast and there they scooped one gold and two silver awards plus a President’s prize. But this year, Team GB represented by Matt Timby, Stephen Harkin, Sam Hall and Tom Peck faced the challenge of techniques and materials not in use in the UK.
On the run-up to the competition the team were put through their paces with training by their mentors Bob Coutts, a tutor from Edinburgh College, and Gary Warpole, training manager for Integrated Polymer Systems (UK) Ltd. This was coupled by the additional funding, and the excellent support by the companies they work for, manufacturers and NFRC.
The team performed admirably amongst stiff competition and whilst they didn't walk home with any of the main prizes the slating and tiling duo Matt and Stephen were awarded with a Presidential Prize for their work during the freestyle task. This task was undertaken on day three of the competition and showed creative natural slate work on a pitched roof with a dormer shed.
(Left to right) Mentor Bob Coutts with Matt Timby and Stephen Harkin on the last day of the competition Team GB flat roofing finished rig
The UK was very well represented throughout the event and our congratulations go to the competitors and mentors. The employers must be thanked for allowing the competitors time off work in order to train and for sending people over to support the competitors Matt Timby of Timby Traditional Roofing, Stephen Harkin of D Harkin & Co Roofing, Sam Hall of Russell Trew Ltd and Tom Peck from Capital Roofing Co. Ltd. Special thanks go to Edinburgh College, Bauder Ltd and Capital Roofing Co. Ltd for their assistance with the training and for allowing it to take place at their premises.
All the competitors and mentors will be invited to The Roofing Awards Congress on 17th May 2013 where their achievements will be recognised.
Full breakdown of the winners:
Pitched Roofing
1st - Switzerland
2nd - Austria
3rd - Germany
Waterproofing
1st - Switzerland
2nd - Austria
3rd - Estonia
Metal roofing
1st Switzerland
2nd - Latvia
3rd - Estonia
Prize of the IFD President
Pitched Roofing - United Kingdom
Metal roofing - Poland
Waterproofing - Estonia