On Sunday 19th of January, Sea Cadets from across the midlands gathered at the Xcel Leisure Centre to showcase their teamwork and discipline, along with the high quality of their uniforms after weeks of training and preparation. In total, around 140 Sea Cadets (aged 12-17) from 9 different teams put their best foot forward with the hope of winning a medal. Coventry Sea Cadets came 3rd after an impressive display of precision marching, saluting and a mix of static and mobile formations and maneuvers.
The overall atmosphere was formal, but energetic, and judges were assessing the timing, precision and complexity of the routine and maneuvers along with the bearing and presentation of each cadet and the whole team.
SLt(SCC) Caroline Proctor RNR, Officer in Charge of Coventry Unit, judged the continuity drill, where the maneuvers and marching are performed without spoken orders, and to music as a fluid performance. Luckily, there was no conflict of interest, as the Coventry team were competing in the unarmed category, supported by Petty Officer Milo Talbot, the team manager who reflected, “Failing to prepare, is preparing to fail’ is a massive quote I stand by and have instilled into the cadets since we began training for the competition, and they have done nothing but prepare in every way they could. They absolutely smashed it as a team and they all should be proud of themselves for what they have achieved.”
Third place is a fantastic result for the team, and a great start to the year for Coventry Sea Cadets. SLt Proctor said, “Coventry cadets put in an amazing effort, and we’ve kicked off the year with an outstanding bronze medal in a very technical and difficult competition. It’s particularly great to see some of our very newest cadets putting in 100%, being selected for the team, and coming out with a brilliant result. The future of Coventry looks bright!”
