Page 144 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
Suspension of sport throughout the Covid-19 pandemic may have halted the season, but it has provided us with the opportunity to reflect upon the successful tours from previous
years. Over the years RAPTC FC have certainly played some interesting and challenging games in a number of diverse countries all over the world, using those opportunities to become even more united as a team, learn more about themselves as individuals and experience the different cultures from around the globe. From Australia to Thailand and a number of countries in between, the map on this page highlights our adventures over the last 15 years.
Each visit provided extensive opportunities to assist and promote sport within the most poverty-stricken areas of that country. In South Africa we were able to collect and deliver a substantial amount of football clothing for various small villages, using our time there to interact and coach children, whilst we also enjoyed
OSV Australia - Community engagement
OSV Thailand
a number of competitive friendly matches with the locals. In Thailand, we worked with a couple of local schools delivering bespoke coaching clinics which all the children enjoyed. Such endeavours ensure we continue to look at the world we live in and how sport can empower and unite everyone.
Looking forward, this year we may not be able to travel overseas, however we look to run a UK based training camp. This camp will assist in bringing our squad back together again, welcome new players and understand how we will operate as a team in the future. Our manager, Capt (MAA) Kev Hayley, has difficult decisions to make prior to naming his starting 11. Gone are the days where we “just turn up and play”! The addition of Mr Nige Wiscombe (goalkeeper coach) and WO1 (SMI) Holden (head coach) look to take the team to the next level. Hopefully promotion to Div 1 with the Big Corps is not too far away.
OSV Australia 2006 - Squad
World map
RAPTC FOOTBALL CLUB FROM AUSTRALIA TO THAILAND
WO2 (QMSI) R Guyton RAPTC
OSV Thailand 2017- community engagement
OSV South Africa 2010 - football kit delivery