Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Sea Cadets’ National Sailing and Windsurfing Regatta in Southport, meeting cadets, volunteers and employees from across the UK and celebrating the achievements of young people taking part in one of the charity’s flagship national events.
As Patron of the Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) and Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, The Princess Royal spent the afternoon learning about the competition, meeting cadets competing in sailing and windsurfing disciplines, observing racing on the water and hearing first-hand about the opportunities available through Sea Cadets.
During the visit, Her Royal Highness remarked how the charity helps remove barriers to participation, ensuring young people from all backgrounds can access life-changing experiences on and off the water.
The visit also saw Her Royal Highness present the prestigious Commander Brown Award to Petty Officer Cadet Niall, of Connah’s Quay Sea Cadets, in recognition of his exceptional achievements and contribution to the organisation. Niall was not only receiving one of Sea Cadets’ highest individual honours, but was also competing in the regatta alongside fellow cadets from across the country.
The National Sailing and Windsurfing Regatta brings together some of the organisation’s most talented young sailors and windsurfers, giving cadets the opportunity to test their skills, represent their units and build friendships with peers from across the UK.
For Niall, the award marks the culmination of a remarkable five-year journey. Joining Sea Cadets during the Covid pandemic as a quiet 12-year-old with a love of the sea, he initially struggled with confidence and even declared he would never sail again after his first experience on the water.
Through determination and resilience, Niall overcame setbacks along the way and is now a qualified RYA instructor who helps teach and inspire other cadets. Alongside achieving the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, he has gained a wide range of boating and instructional qualifications and recently achieved promotion to Petty Officer Cadet.
Guy Holloway, Chief Executive of MSSC, said:
“The National Sailing and Windsurfing Regatta showcases the very best of Sea Cadets, but it is about much more than competition.
“Niall’s journey shows the life-changing impact Sea Cadets can have on young people, while Stephen’s story demonstrates the extraordinary contribution volunteers make to communities across the UK.
“Together, they represent everything that makes Sea Cadets special: people developing confidence, resilience and skills that last a lifetime.”
Petty Officer Sarah Johnson, who has volunteered with Southport Sea Cadets for almost nine years, said: “Southport Sea Cadets has always been about serving our community and giving young people opportunities to thrive. We are incredibly proud of our cadets and the way they step forward for local events, represent the town and support others. Whether they’re out on the water, taking part in national events or developing skills for life, Sea Cadets helps young people build confidence, resilience and friendships that stay with them for years. It was a privilege to welcome Her Royal Highness and share some of those success stories.”
Petty Officer Cadet Niall said:
“Sea Cadets has given me opportunities I never imagined I’d have. Through offshore voyages, qualifications and national events, I’ve become more confident, more independent and learned how to work with people I’ve never met before.
“There were times when things didn’t go my way and I had to try again, but I kept going because I wanted that feeling of achievement. Looking back now, I’m really glad I did.”
During the visit, Her Royal Highness also presented a Cadet Forces Medal to Petty Officer (SCC) Stephen Kay of City of Salford Sea Cadets in recognition of more than a decade of dedicated volunteer service.
A former Royal Navy engineer, Stephen began volunteering with Sea Cadets in 2015 after struggling with PTSD following his military career. He credits Sea Cadets with helping him rebuild confidence, find purpose and reconnect with a sense of belonging through supporting young people.
Since joining Sea Cadets, he has helped hundreds of young people develop maritime skills through sailing, powerboating, rowing and offshore adventures, while supporting local, regional and national boating events. His dedication and commitment have made a lasting impact on generations of cadets.
Stephen Kay said:
“One of the most rewarding parts of volunteering is watching young people discover what they’re capable of.
“You see cadets arrive lacking confidence and then grow through taking on challenges, learning new skills and working as part of a team. Seeing those transformations is what keeps me coming back.
“Sea Cadets gave me purpose when I needed it most. Being able to give something back and help young people achieve their potential means a great deal to me.”
The presentations to Niall and Stephen reflected two sides of the Sea Cadets experience: young people gaining life-changing opportunities and volunteers making those opportunities possible. Together, their stories demonstrate the lasting impact Sea Cadets has on individuals and communities across the UK.
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