PCYC Queensland hosts 2021 Cadet Games

Back for the 7th year, PCYC Queensland hosted the 2021 Cadet Games on 19th June in Brisbane and on 17th July in Townsville.

Renowned as the flagship event for cadets across multiple emergency services and defence force disciplines, the Cadet Games brought teams together in the name of camaraderie, skill and leadership, to vie for the title of Ultimate Cadet Crew.

This year’s Cadet Games saw over 200 cadets from PCYC Queensland Emergency Services Cadets, Rural Fire Service, Surf Life Saving Queensland, Australian Army Cadets, Royal Australian Air Force Cadets, Australian Navy Cadets and Military Cadets compete in games that required skill, problem solving and teamwork, and were judged by emergency services or defence personnel who volunteered their time on the day.

In Brisbane, 233 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets took out the Ultimate Cadet Crew title, with ‘Spitfire’ taking out the Mixed Teams Challenge and the Award of Excellence going to the Brisbane Region Rural Fire Cadets.

In Townsville, the Mackay PCYC Emergency Services Cadets took out the title of Ultimate Cadet Crew, ‘Thunder Dogs’ won the Mixed Teams Challenge and the PCYC Torres Shire Emergency Services Cadets took out the Award of Excellence.

PCYC Queensland Emergency Services Cadets Program Manager, Storm Richter, said more than 200 cadets, 7 cadet programs and 60 volunteer judges were involved in this years’ events.

“The Cadet Games represent the ultimate gathering of cadets from all disciplines, many of whom travel from all over Queensland. At this year’s Townsville Games we even had our first all-female team from Thursday Island!” said Mr Richter.

PCYC Emergency Services Cadets (ESC) Wolffdene Coordinator, Suzanne Bernard, said she continues to be inspired by the young people and personnel who come together to learn new skills, volunteer their time and contribute to the emergency services community.

“The ESC program provides young people with a safe, fun and inclusive environment that offers them practical life skills and leadership opportunities. A lot of cadets go on to pursue a career in the Emergency Services, so it is really exciting to see them interacting with the very people they aspire to be!” said Mrs Bernard.

The Cadet Games are supported by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, as well as personnel from the Fire and Rescue Service, Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service, Australian Red Cross, Surf Life Saving Queensland and Volunteer Marine Rescue.