China Fleet Hosts Gaming Event Supporting Veteran Wellbeing

China Fleet Country Club in Saltash hosted a major three-day gaming event that brought together players from across the UK while supporting members of the Armed Forces community.

A Landmark Event in Cornwall

The “Cornwall Super Bash” welcomed 120 gamers for a Warhammer 40k Super Major tournament. Funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and organised by Company of Makers and Bugle Bat Reps, the event marked a significant moment for the veteran gaming community.

It is understood to be the first event of this size of its kind in Cornwall, combining competitive play with a strong focus on wellbeing and community.

Supporting Veteran Wellbeing

The tournament formed part of Company of Makers’ ‘Get in the Game’ programme, which supports serving personnel, veterans and reserves. Fully funded places were offered to members of the Armed Forces community.

The event used tabletop gaming as a way to provide informal mental health support, helping individuals manage challenges such as PTSD and social isolation during the transition to civilian life.

Dean Bennett, Managing Director at China Fleet Country Club, said:
“We are proud to have hosted an event of this calibre. As a Silver ERS award holder, we understand that for many veterans, finding a new community is crucial for their well-being.

“We are delighted that Company of Makers chose to hold the Cornwall Super Bash at the China Fleet Country Club, so that we could be part of their valuable work in supporting the Armed Forces community, helping players come ‘out of their shells’ and thrive through a shared passion, proving that informal social support is often the most effective frontline defence for mental health.”

📷Image of the organisers:- (Left) Steve Bomford - Co-founder, Company of Makers (Middle) Rachel Owen - Co-founder, Company of Makers (Right) Martin Chapman - Founder, Bugle BatReps

Bringing Communities Together

The event also attracted interest from the local gaming community, with both military and non-military players taking part.

Steve Bomford of Company of Makers said:
“The support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the facilities at China Fleet Country Club allowed us to create something truly special. For many of our attendees, this isn’t just a game; it is an outlet for the stresses of life, shifting focus away from mental health and wellbeing challenges and into something that they find calming and rewarding.

With both members of the Armed Forces community and non-military gamers playing together throughout the tournament, this has helped to foster integration, further build our ‘Get in the Game’ community and ultimately create friendships. The event has been a fantastic achievement.”

Martin Chapman of Bugle Bat Reps added:
“It has been an amazing achievement to be able to put on not only the first event of this size in Cornwall, but also the uniqueness of it. I’m so proud to be a part of this fantastic community we have, and hope this is the start of a long-term partnership.”

Tournament Highlights

The Super Major ran across three days and included six rounds of competitive play. Players also took part in a team quiz night, before the event concluded with a formal award ceremony in the Farmhouse Suite.

The tournament also set a new standard for UK gaming events, with a full hospitality package that included bacon roll breakfasts, buffet lunches and unlimited refreshments throughout the weekend.