News

June 11th 2013

Sporting championship was a success in Lincolnshire

Last Saturday (8 June) saw approximately 500 Army cadets from almost every corner of the United Kingdom assemble at the Mere Sports Stadium in Grantham, Lincolnshire, for the Army Cadet Force (ACF) National Athletics Championships.

The event is organised by the Army Cadet Force Association and has been hosted by Lincolnshire ACF since 2004 in Grantham, due to the fine sporting facilities at the stadium and the town’s proximity to a number of major transport routes. Cadets who have the furthest to travel are accommodated, the night before, at Beckingham Cadet Training Centre, which is manned for the occasion by volunteers from Lincolnshire ACF.
Although the promised glorious summer failed to materialise on Saturday it was a fine day for athletics and a wide range of sporting activities was undertaken by those cadets who had fought their way through preliminary championships to represent their regions.  This event provides a wonderful opportunity, not only for cadets to display their athletic skills, but for them to meet and socialise with cadets from other areas of the country.
After the exertions of their physical activities the cadets were able to relax a little in the evening at Beckingham Cadet Training Centre where a disco was organised for all those who had participated.
Group Captain Nick Sharpe, Chief Executive at East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, said: “Lincolnshire ACF has hosted this prestigious national event for many years now and the commitment of the ACF adult volunteers is evident in the way in which they ensure that every year’s event runs like clockwork.  Central to the success of the day is the fine accommodation at Beckingham Cadet Training Centre; access to Beckingham and its facilities.”
The event was organised by Major Terry Dixon.