The Sea Cadets guide to competitions

Some of the most spectacular Sea Cadets events are our competitions, from regattas and the Gibraltar Cup to football, band, and drill and piping. A chance for our talented cadets to showcase their skills, competitions require a lot of preparation, so we’ve put together this guide to give you a head-start.

Get into the right mindset

One of the most important things you can do is make sure you adopt and maintain a positive mindset. This means you frame things with a good attitude, seek the best from situations and remember that competitions (and the training) are opportunities to better yourself, make friends and, most importantly, have fun! 

Whether you’re competing at district, area or national level, embrace the enjoyment of taking part and meeting new people. 

Seize the day 

If you have reached a national competition, this still isn’t the end! You may be selected to attend the Inter-Cadet Service League competition, where you represent Sea Cadets against other cadet forces.

This could be a springboard to competing on a much bigger stage, so grab all the opportunities and continue to work hard.

Be a good winner

You’ve won? Congratulations! But now is the real test: can you keep your feet on the ground? The most gracious winners are those who accept their victory by being humble and kind.

You have made it this far by working really hard, but it’s also because you’re part of a team and the wider Sea Cadets family. Remember, winning isn’t the most important thing, it’s the experience of taking part. 

Reflect, learn and grow

Win or lose, remember the hard work and courage you have shown to get this far. Take a step back and reflect on the competition – we bet you had fun! What would you do differently next time?

Teamwork is so important, so talk to your peers, work together and, most importantly, enjoy the memories you’re creating.

Illustration: Geraldine Sy