Norfolk and Suffolk Wing Air Training Corps have scored a double whammy after Sgt Tommy Dade and Cpl Bronwyn Jacobs were awarded the Male and Female Corps Sports Cadet of the Year 2015.
Having been selected as the top Sports Cadets in Norfolk and Suffolk, they both went on to win the title of Regional Sports Cadet earlier this summer, and were then judged to be the best in the country.
Wing Commander David Miller, Officer Commanding Norfolk and Suffolk Wing, said “I am absolutely delighted to have not one, but two cadets win the Corps Sports Cadet of the Year. With over 40,000 air cadets across the country, this accolade is a huge achievement to them both and is a testament to their hard work and dedication both within cadets and in supporting their local community.”
Sgt Tommy Dade, who recently turned 18, is a cadet with 222 (Broadland) Squadron in Norfolk. He is the Wing Rugby Captain, the Wing and Regional Football Captain and holds both Wing and Regional records for the Long Jump. Outside of cadets, Tom is part of the England Futsal Football squad, has a scholarship with the Norwich City Football Club ‘Futsal’ programme and was recently made their team captain, a role that was bestowed on him for his leadership skills and dedication. He is also is a member of the Norwich United U18 football team and helps coach the Norwich City Football Club U12 years football development team/elite squad.
Cpl Bronwyn Jacobs, 18, and a member of 863 (Thurston) Squadron in Suffolk, was identified by a sports coach at an ATC event as having potential. Since then she has gone on to compete at the English Schools Cross Country event in 2014 and in the same year was the ATC National 1500m Champion. In 2015 she narrowly missed retaining the title for a second time, but compensated with silver in the 1500m, 400m and the 5 x 400m relay, all at national level. As well as being a member of the local athletics club, Bronwyn is an accomplished athletics trainer. She runs training sessions at squadron level, liaises with the local athletic club in order to ensure specialist coaches are available to assist fellow athletes and her inspirational leadership helped Thurston Squadron win the Wing Touch Rugby Sportivate Cup.
Group Captain Nigel Gorman, Regional Commandant for Central and East Region said “Sgt Dade’s sporting achievements are quite remarkable. Not only is he clearly talented but he is a cadet with a sense of community and a wish to ignite in others a passion for sport. The Corps would struggle to find a finer example of a role model for others.
He went on to say: “Cpl Jacobs has made sports her passion. Her Squadron, Wing and our Region have benefited hugely from her industry as a result of her dedication and enthusiasm. There is no shortage of top class sports-orientated female cadets to choose from in this Region and the fact that Cpl Jacobs has surfaced at the head of the pack just shows what a difference she has made!”