Sports Leaders UK is in the army now!

Her Majesty the Queen learns about sports leadership courses, and how they help young people, on a visit to Devon Army Cadets. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II knows plenty about Sports Leaders UK already – her husband is a former Patron after all. But that didn’t stop the Queen discovering more on a recent visit to Devon Army Cadets. Army Cadets Sports and Liaison Officer, Graham Emond, who heads up sports provision for the group, uses Sports Leaders UK courses to help bring the best out of his charges. He was delighted to meet the Queen to explain further. “I’ve been involved with the Army Cadet movement for more than 40 years,” said Graham, who is looking forward to a ‘return fixture’ later in the year. His hard work and dedication to improving young peoples’ lives is to be rewarded with the presentation of an MBE at Buckingham Palace. He added: “This year is the Cadets’ 150th anniversary and the Queen’s visit was part of our celebrations. She came and chatted to the Cadets and I told her about the sort of work we get them involved in, including Sports Leaders UK courses. Sport is a great way of getting these youngsters interested. They tend to play less and less of it at school, so we think we’re filling a vital gap. The Sports Leaders UK courses fit perfectly.” First launched for a Royal Parade back in 1859, the Army Cadets has grown into a popular youth movement, with more than 5,000 members aged 12-18 across the UK. For many years a boys-only affair, these days you are just as likely to find a female Cadet among those enjoying a range of exciting challenges. Based on a military theme, which includes wearing a uniform and being taught the expected level of self-discipline, the Cadets movement is designed to help young people take advantage of the opportunities around them. Many youngsters have found it a route to a more fulfilling life. “I had a phone call recently from the teacher of a young lady who has been doing the course with us,” said Graham. “He explained to me that she had been hard work to teach in the past, but since coming on the course, she had changed her attitude completely. Her behaviour in the classroom had changed for the better, and that other teachers had commented on it as well. That’s the power of these courses.” Using the Sports Leaders UK Level 1 Award in Sports Leadership, the Devon Army Cadets are encouraged to organise and arrange their own training sessions with peers over the course of two weekend trips.