Yorkshire Cadet Trust photography competition

Thanks to a generous donation by one of our Association members in 2017, the RFCA and the Yorkshire Cadet Trust launched its inaugural photography competition – #WeAreCadets, designed to help celebrate the cadet experience across the region.

Historically only cadets were allowed to enter, however, in 2024 the competition shifted, inviting submissions by unit instead.  It is hoped that winners will be able to use the donated funds for improvements and enhancements that will benefit the unit.  

Any person, whether an adult volunteer or a cadet, across all services –  sea, army, air and CCF cadet units/detachments based in the RFCA for Yorkshire and the Humber’s area – will be eligible to enter the competition.

Entries must be submitted to the RFCA via one single point of contact at units/detachments. The winning prize money will be given to the specific unit to spend on any cadet related activity they wish. The competition will run until September 2026.

Your unit could win a cash prize of £100, £150 or the top prize of £250!

This year’s theme: “Cadets is great fun.”

Show us what makes cadet life so enjoyable – from drill practice and classroom lessons to community activities and adventurous training.

We’re looking for high-quality photos that capture the fun, teamwork, and memorable moments of being part of the cadet experience.

How to enter

Simply complete the below entry form and email your photos and form to
[email protected] by the closing date of 25th September 2026 to be in with a chance of winning a cash prize.

Be sure to read the full rules of entry before submitting your photos.

Images will be shared on social media and used in RFCA marketing materials. The winners and some of the best submissions will be celebrated at the November Association meeting and we’ll be organising coverage on social media and with traditional media outlets when the winners are announced.

Competition rules of entry

• The competition is open to all units, detachments and squadrons from the sea cadet, army cadet, air cadet and combined cadet force’s based in Yorkshire and the Humber. Any individual, whether it be a cadet or a cadet adult volunteer is eligible to enter.
• The competition will take place on an annual basis, whilst funding exists, and the intention is to have a theme each year and the theme will inform the content of entries. The 2026 theme is ‘”Cadets is great fun”.
• Entries are limited to TWO photographs per unit/detachment/squadron only.
• Entries are restricted to still photography only.
• Use of filters / editing software is allowed for enhancement purposes only. Any editing that changes the content of a picture dramatically or affects the integrity of an entry will be rejected.
• Entries should be submitted at the highest quality, the minimum file size required is 1mb and each photo should, where possible, have a resolution of at least 300dpi.
• Entries can be taken by any electronic device (smartphone, digital camera, tablet etc). Photos must be submitted as jpeg files via email or by a file sharing platform such as WeTransfer or Dropbox, assistance can be provided if required. Alternatively contact Tammy Mitchell for a link to the RFCA cloud system. Note that if sending by email our system blocks emails that are over 9MB. If your submission is over this limit then send the photos on separate emails or use a file sharing platform. Files should be sent, along with an accompanying entry form to Tammy Mitchell [email protected].
• All entries will be acknowledged, if you do not receive a response, please contact Tammy Mitchell.
• Submitted images may subsequently be used by the RFCA for marketing purposes (marketing literature/social media/website). By submitting an entry you agree to your image(s) being used for this purpose.
• Consent must be gained by the photographer of any image depicting people in each cadet organisation. Check with the subjects that they are content to be photographed with a view to the images being put online and in marketing collateral. Shortlisted finalists pictures will be sent to cadet HQ’s to confirm that the subjects have signed photography waivers for cadet events. Any that have not been signed will be rejected.
• Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
  • Composition
  • Technical ability
  • Artistic merit
  • Originality
  • Impact
• The prize money MUST be spent by the winning unit, detachment or squadron on cadet related activities for that unit, detachment or squadron.
• Units/detachments/squadrons must also let the RFCA know what the prize money was spent on, if it differs from what was submitted on the entry form.
• The judging panel will consist of representatives of the RFCA and a professional photographer. The panel’s decision is final.

Below are a PDF and an image of the poster for you to download and print for your cadet unit’s notice boards, or to share on social media.