NZDF Medic Match crowns Cantabrian as top operator

The tri-service competition is a biennial activity that tests our medics abilities to operate independently and provide health effects in a broad spectrum of operational environments. 

New Zealand Army’s Corporal Patrick Harnett, from Amberley, took out the top spot and was the overall winner of the three-day competition late last month.

“I am very humbled to win this year’s Medic Match. There were outstanding medics competing and the ball bounced my way in the end,” Corporal Harnett said.

He said the most challenging part of the competition was continuing to follow up a good performance each time.

I took whatever came my way and realised that I couldn’t control what was going to be thrown at me. I did find it mentally challenging to keep the standard high and keep the scoreboard pressure on.

He said the confidence course aspect of the competition, along with the fire training centre, was a highlight and a lot of fun.

“Competing in front or your peers and senior leaders puts you in a pretty vulnerable place. It very easily could have gone to more than a dozen other medics.

“Everyone who competed deserves acknowledgement for putting themselves out there regardless of where they placed,” Corporal Harnett said.

Held in the Christchurch area, the competition set a large number of challenges that required technical excellence as well as mental and physical resilience to overcome.

“Medic Match showcases readiness for operations. Medics are more than just sick parades and field covers and Medic Match provides an opportunity to show we can save lives at any time, in any conditions no matter the challenges,” Medic Match co-ordinator, Warrant Officer Class Two Reuben Blakely, Training Warrant Officer Deployable Health Organisation said.

The competition was held in varied locations across Christchurch including the Fire and Emergency New Zealand fire training centre, Urban Search and Rescue training area, International Antarctic Centre, Harewood Air Movements Terminal, Manawa (health research and education facility), and in and around Burnham Military Camp.

“Many of these environments were unfamiliar to competitors and presented challenges across the spectrum of operations. They simulated heat, cold, altitude, air movement, disaster relief, naval operations, and clinical settings as well as live firing, obstacles and darkness,” Warrant Officer Class Two Blakely said.

Top Navy Medic went to Able Medic John Morris and the Invitational Trophy went to Australian Defence Force Corporal Nathan Bull.