The Air Training Corps actively encourages cadets to participate in sport; once a cadet is enrolled he or she is eligible to represent his or her squadron in several sports at various levels. Participants can gain recognition for themselves, their Squadron, Wing, Region and can even be selected to represent the Corps. There are 7 authorised Corps sports:

Swimming,  Hockey,  Rugby,  Cross Country,  Netball,  Soccer  and  Athletics

All sports are conducted using NGB rules and age classifications. As well as these competitions there are also other sports participated in at Squadron and Wing levels including 5-a-side soccer as well as volleyball and many more. These tend to be played more for inter squadron events and local pride. A cadet does not have to be an up and coming sports superstar, the opportunities available in sport are there for everyone to enjoy.

For representing No 3 Welsh Wing a cadet will earn a Wing Blue, if they go on to represent Wales & West they will earn a Regional Blue and if they represent the Air Training Corps they will earn a much coveted Corps Blue and representative certificate.

Throughout the year squadrons compete to be the ‘Best Sporting Squadron in No3 Welsh Wing’ receiving the Wing Commander R Lewis Trophy.

Swimming is the Corps’ most successful event, with the ATC winning the last 29 annual tri-service meetings.

The sport is played with 4 age groups

• Junior Girls
• Senior Girls
• Junior Boys
• Senior Boys

The following events are participated in:-

• Freestyle
• Back Stroke
• Breast Stroke
• Butterfly
• Individual Medley
• Medley Relay
• Freestyle Relay

Cross Country is normally the very last sport in the year for most Wings and is competed at by Junior and Senior Girls, and Junior, Youth and Senior Boys. The courses are normally a mile and a half to three miles long, the sport is competed at all levels, right up to Corps.

Soccer: The Air Cadets run 11-a-side soccer competitions at both junior and senior age groups with the senior age group being able to play at Corps level. 5-a-side soccer is also played, though this is normally only to Region level.

Hockey in the Air Cadets is played by female cadets, and can be competed at right up to Corps level

Netball within the Air Cadets is played by female cadets, where players can progress all the way through to Corps level. The competition at Squadron level is normally open age group, but once at Wing level and beyond, it is split into junior and senior girls. The sport is played under the rules of the All England Netball Association.

Rugby is only played by male cadets within the Air Cadets, it is played to all levels at senior and only to Wing at junior level. All games are played under the rules of the Rugby Football Union.

Athletics is by far the most popular sport that the ATC participates in. This event is normally held in summer and all age groups can progress to Corps level. The age groups for this sport are:

• Under 15 Boys
• Under 17 Men
• Junior Men
• Under 15 Girls
• Junior Women

The Events participated in athletics are as follows:

All Events are governed by the rules of the UK Athletics Association.

Click here to view age classifications for sport.