Nelson’s flagship at Trafalgar was the backdrop as the Royal Navy presented its trophies for the sportsmen and women of the past year.

Royal Marines Cpl Mark Croasdale collected the prestigious NATO Cup as sportsman of the year at a ceremony on board Second Sea Lord Sir James Burnell-Nugent’s flagship HMS Victory, with the admiral presenting the trophies.

Mark is one of the best endurance runners in the Forces, and currently holds the Inter-Services marathon title as well as being regarded as the Navy’s top cross-country and road runner.

The Royal has represented the Great Britain biathlon team at the Olympics – not this year at Athens, however – and appeared for the national cross country and fell running squads.

STD Zoe Hogg, just 18 months in the Senior Service, was named as young sportswoman of the year.

The 18-year-old is a contender in three sports, representing the Royal Navy in badminton, hockey and rugby. Not content with that, Zoe has also represented establishments in football, netball and volleyball.

Top sporting official is WO(MEA) Paul Winton, the Navy’s Mr Athletics. He took over running the RN athletics squad six years ago, and in doing so has reinvigorated the sport.

Paul has been associated with track and field in the RN for more than 30 years, first as a competitor, and subsequently as an official and administrator. Without his input, RN achievements would certainly have declined.

The Royal Navy’s boxing squad collected the title of team of the year. Now rated as one of the top three squads in the country, with five internationals and five Combined Services champions in its ranks, the high point of the past 12 months was defeating the Army – sweet enough in itself, but made even better by being on TV.

Lastly, special awards were made to the members of the Golden Jubilee team which climbed Everest in the 50th anniversary of the first successful scaling of the world’s highest mountain.

Expedition leader Col Nick Arding and WO Dave Pearce, who reached the summit, received individual presentations.