Sutton Army Cadets Scoop Prize Trophy

Army Cadets from 157 Detachment ( Royal Artillery) South West London Army Cadet Force in Sutton, have won the coveted Elworthy Trophy, the country’s only tri-service cadet military skills competition (15 October).  Mr Kenneth Olisa OBE, HM Lord Lieutenant for Greater London presented the Elworthy Trophy to the winning team.  The ‘Runners Up’ prize went to the Wilsons School CCF in Wallington.

Eleven teams of eight Cadets from the four Cadet services within Greater London (Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force) battled it out during a crisp and dry Autumn day at the annual event, held at the National Cadet Training Centre in Frimley, Surrey.  The competition tests the basic skills of the teams of Cadets aged 12-18 years and combines these with general physical and mental agility.  It is a challenging competition and is fiercely contested by all who enter.

The Cadets were put through their paces during the event and took part in a series of fun and demanding team activities including archery, command tasks, first aid, watermanship skills, casualty evacuation and observation skills.

The Sutton Cadets demonstrated their expertise and teamwork by performing well across the board and won outright in the archery, rowing, watermanship and observation tests. Colonel Ian Denison OBE, Colonel Cadets London, who was instrumental in the planning and organisation of the event, enjoyed watching the teams of Cadets as they strove to succeed at each task. He said:

“This year’s contest was as competitive as ever with all the teams showing lots of enthusiasm and team spirit.”  Colonel Denison also thanked the Management Committee and The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths for their continued support and sponsorship of the competition.

The winning team’s Detachment Commander Lieutenant Clive Allen said, “It was a fabulous effort by the cadets, with great team work and they gave it their all. It’s an outstanding effort and I am so pleased and proud of them. I very much appreciate the work of Sgt Del Rio of our cadet training team who helped prepare the cadets.”

Throughout the competition, the Cadets were looked after by volunteer Officers and Adult Instructors who manage a broad programme of military and adventurous training activities designed to develop character and leadership.

Presenting the awards HM Lord Lieutenant of Greater London Mr Kenneth Olisa OBE said: “It’s been a real pleasure to be here today and to see the range of activity at the Elworthy Trophy and I congratulate the winners. Each of you who have taken part should be proud, you are one of 88 out of London’s 14,500 cadets and I congratulate you all.”

For further information about joining the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets or Air Cadets in Greater London go to http://www.glrfca.org/pages/view/cadets

Notes to Editors:

The Cadet Forces comprise four individual organisations, each with particular links to the Armed Forces. They are the Sea Cadets linked to the Royal Navy, the Army Cadet Force linked to the Army, the Air Training Corps linked to the Royal Air Force, and the Combined Cadet Force. The Combined Cadet Force operates through schools across the country, offering the opportunity for pupils to join one of the Cadet Forces. A Combined Cadet Force contingent may contain one or more of the Service Cadet Forces. Almost all the day-to-day running of the Cadet movement is done by volunteers.

The Elworthy Trophy

The competition was born when the late Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Lord Elworthy KG GCB CBE DSO MVO DFC AFC retired in 1978 as Lord Lieutenant of Greater London and President of this Association, and he presented his own Battle of Britain Commemorative Sword as a trophy to be competed for annually by cadets of the three services within Greater London.