Page 32 - Cadet ReviewAutumn/Winter 2020

CEY Wing ATC
WING SPORTS OFFICER –
WO TONY BROOKER (AKA
WO GRUMPY)
by Pilot Officer Helle McCollin
WO Anthony Brooker has been the Wing Sports Officer for the last 12 years but due to health issues has had to make the difficult decision to step down and hand the reins over to someone new.
During his tenure he has achieved some amazing results, creating some lasting memories for cadets and staff. He also created sayings that cadets still remember after all this time.
“Bring back the shrapnel”
“If I put on my Grumpy hat then you know I’m not happy”
The cadets and staff in the Wing achieved some amazing results under Tony’s leadership:
• AOC22 Gp Commendation in HM the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2018 – Wing Sports Team
• Gillan Trophy – 2nd placing with the Corps
• No. 1 Wing within Regional Sports However, the greatest achievement was his
dedication to helping cadets achieve greatness within sports. Although he wanted cadets to come back with “the shrapnel”, the medals; his primary focus was always wanting the cadets to have fun.
Tony acquired his well-known Grumpy cap from
a member of staff, he is on his third cap in 12 years because the cadets and staff would “accidentally” lose it or hide it so that he couldn’t be grumpy at the cadets when they didn’t push themselves to achieve the result that he knew they could achieve.
Tony had so much passion and energy for the sports, encouraging cadets to grow and achieve what he knew they were capable of but not just within sports, he encouraged them to try everything the RAF Air Cadet organisation had to offer. Tony would go to great length to support cadets, often at his own expense and to the detriment of his health.
The bursting pride he had any time a team or person achieved medals. The staff would listen to him ring OC Wing on the return journey telling him how “his team” had done that day and how proud he was. He insisted that cadets were to wear medals at every opportunity to show their achievements and to be proud of themselves.
Tony would also attend the annual Altcar camp setting up physical training activities with limited resources, splitting cadets into groups so that they would encourage each other, learning how to work as a team. However, there was an ulterior motive. He was looking to talk to the cadets about coming to try out sports. Those that did were surprised at how much they enjoyed themselves and the friends they made too.
Tony always made us
feel we
were doing
a great job, and backed us with whatever we decided to do
Tony has been a tower of strength for staff and cadets over the years and although he is standing down from the Wing Sports Officer post, he will be staying on within the Wing which I know a great number of cadets and staff are grateful for.
Here are some quotes from past and present cadets and staff:
"Tony has been a major driving force for C&E York’s Sports. Both myself and WO Dave Nash volunteered to help with the Girls Hockey Teams. However, this turned into a 5-year project to get the girls Hockey teams into shape and strive forward. Tony was behind us all the way with his words of encourage- ment and enthusiasm. Tony always made us feel we were doing a great job, and backed us with whatever we decided to do. This led to both the Girls Hockey teams winning Wing and Region tournaments. Tony is the most dedicated Sports Officer and friend we have ever had."
Fg Off Andrea Nash
"Tony was a huge part of my cadet career but Tony didn't just help me on the sports pitch to be a better player he did more than that, he taught me to always push to be better on and off the Field and to drive to be the best I can. This is something I still hold with me today and to that I'm truly grateful to have met and been mentored by him, he went from being a mentor to a friend. He's one of the greatest people I've had the pleasure to meet!"
SAC Lewis Boyle - RAF Regiment Gunner
"Mr Tony Brooker did a lot to help me while I was in cadets. He helped me build my confidence, he never let me give up when things started to get tough, he also helped me get my fitness to a high level with
all the sport I took part in and the biggest one he pushed me when I started the process of joining the RAF, not to let anything get in the way or ever stop me achieving my goal. He was looked up to by all the cadets that knew him."
SAC Joshua Moverley
32 CADET REVIEW AUTUMN/WINTER 2020