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Teams get in training for Scottish challenge

130 teams from UK businesses will converge on Stirling, Scotland between the 11th and 15th June to take part in the 2008 Microsoft UK Challenge.

The team development event, organised by Challenger World, is part of the Intelligent Sport® World Series.

Challenger World managing director Andrew Finan said: "By putting teams through demanding physical, strategic and intellectual tasks, Intelligent Sport helps individuals and teams work on many levels which can be transferred directly into the workplace.

"Working with big corporations for over a decade has helped our course directors create situations which test employees in ways they would never be tested in the office. Intelligent Sport stretches teams to look for different problem solving and coping techniques whilst also helping to build new bonds between staff."

Microsoft has been the title sponsors of the UK Challenge for eight years and is now one of the largest entrants of teams into the event. This year a total of nine Microsoft teams will compete, including teams that are made up of Microsoft staff, partners and representatives from the NSPCC, Leonard Cheshire and AbilityNet.

Dave Gartenberg, director of HR at Microsoft UK said: "We’re delighted to have nine teams compete in the Microsoft UK Challenge 2008. We support our teams every step of the way, particularly through our flexible working policies, as they train, compete and fundraise.

"In the last eight years, in which time we’ve raised more than £3m for the NSPCCC, we’ve also found that the participants benefit enormously, and bring new communication and collaboration skills back into the workplace, along with the adrenaline rush of competition. "

The Microsoft UK Challenge also places a large emphasis on helping others which is why fundraising is a core activity the teams in the event undertake. The NSPCC is the official event charity and last year the teams taking part raised over £500,000 for the charity.

The 2008 event sees the presence of former England and British Lions rugby international Rory Underwood. Challenger World has teamed up with Rory Underwood and his partners John Peters and Martyn Helliwell at UPHltd.

"The Microsoft UK Challenge is a fantastic team building event. It’s exciting and challenging, it encompasses the ethos of teamwork and builds team spirit over four days", said Underwood. "Competitors will get the chance to share experiences they wouldn’t get from their everyday working environment. They will learn more about each other in four days than they would from a year together in the office."

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