Well-known local rugby player Dave Pascoe, from Mawnan Smith, has been named Royal Navy Sports Personality of the Year.

The Royal Navy’s rugby team captain and an air engineer at RNAS Culdrose, Dave picked up his trophy at the annual Royal Navy Sports Awards.

Fending off tough competition from fellow athletes, the Chief Petty Officer Air Engineering Technician took the trophy for his contribution to Royal Navy rugby.

Dave, 34, who works with the 771 Search and Rescue Naval Air Squadron, first played for the Royal Navy rugby union Senior XV in 1999 and has never missed a season since. He is the second most capped player of all time in the Royal Navy and is the longest serving captain in the Senior XV’s history.

He was presented with his award by Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral David Steel.

Reflecting on his eight-year tenure as captain of the Royal Navy’s 1st XV, Dave said: “It’s been an honour and a privilege to be captain for such a length of time. I’ve been very lucky to be injury free. I still enjoy my sport, so as long as I am fit, I will keep going.”

Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral David Steel said the Royal Navy had a wonderful wealth of athletes. He told the audience at the awards ceremony: “It is incredible that an organisation as busy as the Royal Navy, and with only 30,000 people, can still compete not only against the other services but also at a national level.

“Not only are our men and women representing themselves or their teams on the sports field, they are also ambassadors for the Royal Navy both at home and abroad.”