Lads lift trophies

TEENAGE Cadets from Lurgan have been sweeping to victory in the 2010 Northern Ireland Champion Cadet competition, held recently at Ballykinler Training Camp.

The competition tests almost every element of Cadet skills, from military knowledge, map reading, fieldcraft and shooting to physical fitness, first aid and even administration.

The annual competition takes place over a gruelling two day period with every activity scored by an expert panel of judges.

This year Nicholas Lennon from Lurgan, a pupil of The Royal School Armagh, scooped the award as Champion Cadet for 2010. He also collected awards for his shooting and first-aid skills and for physical fitness.

Cadet Lance Corporal Alan Fox, also a pupil of The Royal School Armagh, who lives in Lurgan, received his trophy as runner up in the hotly contested Shooting Competition from Colonel Iain Moles Colonel TA 38 (Irish) Brigade.

Cadet Sergeant Michael Lyness from Lurgan, a pupil of RBAI in Belfast, was winner of the Military Knowledge section of the competition, runner up in Orienteering and came third overall in the competition.

Congratulating Nicholas and the Lurgan Cadets, Colonel Iain Moles, said, “The Lurgan lads should be very proud to be bringing home so many awards, for this is one competition that seems to get tougher every year.

“Clearly the Lurgan lads have taken the anniversary slogan ‘Live the adventure’ very much to heart.

“They have taken advantage of every opportunity set in front of them and demonstrate that it is possible to take on demanding new skills and have fun at the same time. They are tremendous ambassadors for the Cadet movement.”