On Sunday 20 October 12 Junior Boys and 9 Junior Girls travelled to Tidworth Garrison, Tidworth for the South West Region Inter Wing Junior Football and Hockey Competition.
From the start the competition looked like a non-starter with only 9 girls from a squad of 12 and the boys down to a full starting 11 but only one substitute!, coupled with biblical rain on the journey and the potential of flooding at the venue. The Thames Valley cadets arrived in high spirits ready to face the challenge.
A change this year for the boys, in the format of the competition instead of two 30 minute league games against two randomly selected Wings and a 30 minute play-off, they played five 15 minute games against all the other Wings of South West Region (mirroring the girls hockey format).
The change of format was in response to decisions of the South West Region Sports Council (SWRSC) to increase the number of games, not the amount of football an increase to the competitiveness of the competition and to give a true reflection of the Region Champions.
Despite each teams shortfalls in players and substitutes they approached each match with drive, positivity and determination. The girls winning three, drawing two, the boys winning one and drawing four an amazing result and credit to all the cadets for their excellent performances, Thames Valley not losing a game in either the football or hockey against some strong competition.
In the football the boys placed 3rd receiving the bronze medals from Group Captain M Remlinger the only other team on the day to not concede a game to Bristol & Gloucestershire wing, who were this year’s champions.
Cdt M Keeys 2507 Bicester has been selected as a midfielder to represent South West Region at the Corps Inter Region Competition RAF Cranwell in November, his first selection for Region and his first representation for Thames Valley – Congratulations and Well Done Cdt Keeys.
Cdt C Johnson-Hortop 459 Windsor was selected as a Non-Travelling Reserve (NTR) striker and will be called upon should the first selected cadet not be available. Again this is Cdt Johnson-Hortop’s first selection for Region and his first representation for Thames Valley – Congratulations and Well Done Cdt Johnson-Hortop
In the hockey the girls placed 2nd receiving the silver medals from Group Captain M Remlinger, but due to a team being disqualified for using overage players have been promoted to 1st place winning on short corners to Hampshire and Isle of Wight and like the boys not conceding a game all day.
South West Junior Hockey Champions 2016 – Thames Valley Wing
Cdt M Bui 2120 Witney has been selected as a left forward to represent South West Region at the Corps Inter Region Competition RAF Cranwell in November, her third selection for Region, the second for hockey and her third representation for Thames Valley – Congratulations and Well Done Cdt Bui.
Cpl I Kilbride-Swainston 2121 Abingdon has been selected as a central defender to represent South West Region at the Corps Inter Region Competition RAF Cranwell in November, her third selection for Region, the second for hockey and her fourth representation for Thames Valley – Congratulations and Well Done Cpl Kilbride-Swainston.
Cpl T Smith 2402 Burghfield has been selected as a right forward to represent South West Region at the Corps Inter Region Competition RAF Cranwell in November, her first selection for Region and her third representation for Thames Valley – Congratulations and Well Done Cpl Smith.
Cdt K Buddin 2507 Bicester deserves high praise for the second weekend in a row and her third weekend committed to sport and the Air Cadets. Cdt Buddin will be two for two in representations for Thames Valley having been selected to play hockey for the Wing team at the start of October she made the trip to HMS Raleigh to represent the Wing at swimming two weeks ago and last weekend representing the Wing for hockey, a big commitment Well Done, one to watch for Junior Sports Cadet of the Year this season.
I would like to thank Flt Lt M Boxwell 459 Windsor, Thames Valley Football Team Manager and CI L Lazenby 2120 Witney, Thames Valley Football Team Coach, CI A Kilbride-Swainston 2121 Abingdon Thames Valley Hockey Team Manager for the commitment, dedication and support they showed during this event.
A special mention to Sgt C Mcaleese 2267 Brize Norton & Welbeck College Thames Valley Cadet Hockey Team Coach who offered her support to the team and the junior cadets and Cpl M Steptoe 2121 Abingdon Thames Valley Cadet Hockey Team Coach who also offered her support to the team and the junior cadets while completing her DofE Coaching and adding to her Sports Leaders Support Portfolio. Both NCO’s showing their commitment to the junior cadets of the organisation – Ambassadors of sport. Thank you.
I would like to congratulate and thank each and every cadet who attended and competed for the Wing and look forward to seeing you at future events, especially the Junior Team Training in March 2017.
WO (ATC) B Tweddle
TVW Sports Officer