Excellence Rewarded: 2286 (Coventry Arden) Squadron Awards Night

On October 11th, 2286 Squadron hosted its Annual Awards Evening at Westfield House, Coventry, bringing together a vibrant community of cadets, staff, families, and distinguished guests. This event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the dedication and accomplishments of our Squadron members over the past year. We were honoured to welcome Wing Commander (Retd.) Stephen Mills representing the Wing Chairman for Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing; Sqn Ldr Robert Foster; Sqn Ldr Bryan Coats; and Mrs Rebecca Leavy, the Wing Executive Officer for Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing, who graced us with their presence and support.

The evening commenced with a welcome from WO Daniel Sturdy, followed by a retrospective look at the year from the Squadron's Senior NCOs and a highlights video prepared by FS Seymour. The awards ceremony showcased various categories, recognizing cadets for their outstanding achievements and commendable efforts across numerous fields, with both winners and nominees being recognised.

Awards and Winners

For Award Winner & evening photographs, please see the gallery below.

John Doran Award

Winner: Cpl Kisara Pareamunugamage

The John Doran Award is awarded for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in academic training.

Public Speaking Award

Winner: Cdt Oliver Fawcett

The Public Speaking Award is presented to the winner of the Squadron Public Speaking Competition.

Hooper Award

Winner: Cdt Alice Kobylak

The Hooper Award recognizes outstanding achievement or commendable effort in musical performance.

Jubilee Award

Winner: Cdt Oliver Fawcett

The Jubilee Award acknowledges outstanding achievement or commendable effort in community service.

Photography and Media Award

Winner: Sgt Kynan French

The Photography and Media Award is for a single photo of a RAFAC adjacent subject.

RAF 100 Award

Winner: Joint winners - Cpl Bawazir

The RAF 100 Award is given for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in the fields of  STEM.

Training Officer’s Cup

Winner: Sgt Cerys Ryan

The Training Officer’s Cup is awarded for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in leadership.

Venture Adventure Award

Winner: Cdt Katie Corcoran

The Venture Adventure Award celebrates outstanding achievement or commendable effort in adventurous training and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The Hawthorn Award

Cdt Leonora Oliveira

The Hawthorn Award is awarded for outstanding achievemtn or commendable effort in space.

Male Sports Award

Winner: Cdt Yuvraj Garchay

The Male Sports Award recognizes outstanding achievement or commendable effort in male sports.

Female Sports Award

Winner: Cdt Katie Corcoran

The Female Sports Award is given for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in female sports.

Smith Plate

Winner: Cdt Oliver Collins

The Smith Plate is awarded for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in the field of aviation.

Duke of Marlborough Award

Winner: CWO Thomas O'Connell

The Duke of Marlborough Award acknowledges outstanding achievement or commendable effort in the field of first aid.

Turing Award

Winner: Sgt Cerys Ryan

The Turing Award is given for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in the field of radio communications.

Air Cadet 75 Award

Winner: The Squadron Leadership Team

The Air Cadet 75 Award recognizes outstanding team performance in 2024.

Elephant Award

Winner: Cpl Dawson Myles

The Elephant Award is presented for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in military disciplines including shooting & fieldcraft.

Best Shot Award

Winner: Cpl Cameron Brooks

The Best Shot Award recognizes outstanding achievement or commendable effort in marksmanship.

RAF Regiment Award

Winner: Cdt Rhinosankathi Thedchanmoorthy

The RAF Regiment Award is presented for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in uniform and deportment.

E Sports Award

Winner: Cpl Kisara Peramunugamage

The E-Sports Award is presented for outstanding achievement or commendable effort

in E-sports.

Drill Award

Winner: CWO O’Connell

The Drill Award acknowledges outstanding achievement or commendable effort in ceremonial drill.

Cadet’s Cadet

Winner: Cpl Ameera Bawazir

The Cadet’s Cadet award is given to the best cadet as voted for by the cadets of 2286 Squadron.

Most Improved Award

Winner: Cpl Cameron Brooks

The Most Improved Award celebrates the cadet or NCO who has made the most improvement since the previous awards.

Best New Recruit

Winner: Cdt Alice Kobylak

The Best New Recruit award is presented to the most promising new recruit to join 2286 Squadron since the previous awards.

Cadet of the Year

Winner: Cdt Katie Corcoran

The Cadet of the Year award recognizes the outstanding overall performance of a cadet throughout the year.

NCO of the Year

Winner: Cpl Dawson Myles

The NCO of the Year award is given for outstanding overall performance by an NCO.

Arden Eagle

Winner: CWO O’Connell accepting on behalf of 2286 Squadron

The Arden Eagle award recognizes an outstanding single achievement since the previous awards.

Bader Award

Winner: Sgt Cerys Ryan

The Bader Award is presented for outstanding achievement under difficult circumstances.

Arden Rosebowl

Winner: WO Daniel Sturdy

The Arden Rosebowl acknowledges outstanding overall contribution to 2286 Squadron.

Collins Trophy

Winner: FS Jason Dhayaparan

The Collins Trophy is a new award for 2024, celebrating an outstanding Squadron representative throughout the wider Wing and Corps.

Endeavour Cup

Winner: Sgt Kynan French

The Endeavour Cup is awarded to the cadet who most embodies the spirit and values of the RAF Air Cadets.

The evening also featured the presentation of the Bronze Crest Award to Cpl Kian Fowler and the BTEC Level 2 to Cpl Ameera Bawazir. Special thanks to Mrs. Nicola O'Connell, Mrs Lesley Hooper and the Civilian Committee for their unwavering support throughout the year as well as to Mrs Rebecca Leavy, the Wing Executive Officer

Flt Lt Julie Seymour, Commanding Officer of 2286 Squadron, expressed her gratitude: “Thank you to all our special guests, families, and friends for your ongoing support. To our cadets, your enthusiasm and dedication make all our efforts worthwhile. A special thank you to the staff for their exceptional work during the year and for their organization of this event.”

For those interested in joining our Squadron, please reach out via email or book onto our January Open Evening through 2286aircadets.co.uk/event-list. We look forward to welcoming new faces to our community!