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Defender Trophy - Application form

Thank you for embracing the impossible. Your application for the Defender Trophy is your first pivotal step on an exhilarating journey. Building on Defender's 70-year legacy as the trusted companion in Earth's most extreme environments, this expedition calls for a new breed of pioneers. A spirit we know thrives within South Africa. More than a competition, it's a truly epic global adventure with a powerful purpose: to drive real and impactful change for conservation.

With your initial expression of interest successfully logged, your Defender Trophy journey accelerates into the next crucial phase. Please submit your eligibility declaration, complete the profiling and skills questionnaire, tackle our adventure-challenge questions, and share a personal statement that truly captures your Defender personality and spirit. All these must be submitted by 13:00 on 30th September 2025.

 

We eagerly await to see how you'll turn adventure into meaningful change. Once submitted, a local representative will contact you regarding your success in advancing to the next round.

Eligibility Declaration

Defender Trophy is a demanding adventure-based competition that will be communicated around the world, so for reasons of safety, insurance and transparency if you want to apply to this program, adherence to and acceptance of the following eligibility criteria are mandatory. Unfortunately, you will not be able to proceed with this application, if you do not signify that you meet and accept these criteria.

Eligibility Statement

I am:

  • 23 years old or over;
  • Fit and healthy with no underlying medical conditions that would prevent me from taking part in an extremely arduous and demanding adventure challenge.

I am not:

  • Employed by Jaguar Land Rover or any other company principally involved in the manufacturing, sale or distribution of automotive vehicles.

I have:

  • Read and accepted the Defender Trophy terms and conditions (these can be found here: Terms and Conditions)
  • A full and valid driving licence that allows me to drive internationally,
  • A valid international passport and I would not be restricted from travelling to any foreign country.

I do:

  • Swim a minimum of 50 metres unassisted and unaided,
  • Communicate in English, which will be the language of the competition, to understand detailed instructions and provide input and feedback to other competitors in potentially dangerous situations where accurate, immediate and clear communication is essential.

I further, understand, accept and agree that:

  • I will be required to live in the outdoors for up to 21 days in close proximity to the other competitors in potentially harsh environments.
  • Successful entrants who are admitted to the competition’s local selection events and beyond will be filmed, photographed and recorded by Jaguar Land Rover Limited (and/or third parties on behalf of Jaguar Land Rover Limited) and will therefore be required to sign a film footage waiver form which will be provided by Jaguar Land Rover Limited on or before the local selection event. By signing the form, entrants agree that the Jaguar Land Rover Limited, UK and their affiliated companies shall have the right to use all the resulting publicity materials in any medium and any manner they see fit.
  • As a successful entrant, I may be required to create user generated content of myself during the competition period which Jaguar Land Rover Limited, UK and/or their affiliates shall have the right to use in any medium and any manner they see fit.

Thanks for completing the eligibility declaration. Your application has three sections:

  1. Profiling and Skills Questions
  2. Adventure Challenge Questions
  3. Personal Statement

First, a bit about you. The second section seeks to understand how you would react in various adventure challenge situations. Finally, there’s space for you to tell us why you’d be a great participant.

When you’re finished, click the ‘submit’ button. Once the application window has closed, all applications will be reviewed, and successful applicants will be invited to a local selection event.

Important note: you can save your application progress and return to complete it later. Simply use your original link to access the form again. Once you have fully completed and submitted the form, your unique link will then expire.

Profiling and skills questions

Please read the statements below and select the one answer that best represents you.

Which best describes your role in a group? *

What’s your biggest strength in an adventure challenge? *

How comfortable are you in the outdoors? *

Have you ever owned a Defender or Land Rover? *

Do you have SoMe accounts? *

Have you ever received any Awards for work, charitable activities or sport? *

Do you have a First Aid qualification? *

Are you involved in any work related to any charity organisations? *

Adventure
challenge
questions

The ability to endure discomfort is as important as physical fitness. *

Uncertainty is exciting rather than stressful. *

When things go wrong, maintaining a positive mindset matters more than solving the problem. *

You should only take on challenges when you are fully prepared. *

It’s better to push through discomfort than to stop and reassess. *

Sometimes, sticking to the plan is more dangerous than changing it last minute. *

The best adventures are the ones where everything goes according to plan. *

There is no point being uncomfortable through a challenge if you’re not enjoying it. *

It’s better to have one decisive leader than a group where everyone has an equal say. *

The best way to handle a disagreement in a group is to reach a compromise. *

Select one answer that best represents who you are:

How competitive are you? *

If you had to choose between these strategies, which would you pick? *

If you were at the bottom of the leaderboard, what would you do? *

If you disagree with your team’s decision, you: *

If your teammate was about to make a dangerous decision, you would: *

Personal
statement

When you are happy with your answers please click the apply button below