Page 161 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

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The RAPTC Basketball team has evolved over the years, is continuously growing and developing with a rich and successful history as one of the most competitive and combative teams on the court during the Army Basketball Inter Corps Championships.
Having narrowly missed the 2019 Army Basketball Inter Corps final, the pandemic-induced lockdown gave us a chance to look back at when the RAPTC dominated the Inter Corps Basketball Championships. The first Inter Corps game was played at the Junior Tradesman, St Omer Barracks, Aldershot in 1979. The then, APTC won the competition against the Royal Signals and REME. The APTC continued their winning reign in the Army Inter Corps Basketball throughout 1982 – 1985. The APTC won five championships out of seven and runners-up twice in the championship, making the APTC Basketball Team the most feared team at the Army Inter Corps Basketball Championships.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced an unprecedented global shut down while impacting on all aspects of the sports. This, however, did not stop our Media Operations guru Sgt (SI) John RAPTC from being creative and designing the RAPTC Basketball Squad eye catching logos. He also organised virtual competitions on the social media platform keeping everyone engaged, entertained and connected during this time. His relentless pursuit and continuous showcasing of the squad generated more than 1000 followers on the RAPTC Basketball Instagram platform. This has been a huge milestone for the squad, as it led to both UK and abroad based civilian basketball teams eager to organise friendly fixtures.
Pre Covid-19 pandemic, sports officials had a high risk, high profile job to do amidst much criticism, stress and pressure. In
addition, sports officials are now faced with the personal exposure to COVID-19. However, that did not prevent WO2 (QMSI) Ian Lester RAPTC from continuing to do what he does best, officiating at the prestigious L Lynch Trophy Final 2020/2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the true epitome of what it means to be the Army Sports Official of the Year and presented with a Lifetime Achievement award. WO2 (QMSI) Lester RAPTC has been throughout his career and continues to be of great support for RAPTC, Army and UK Forces Basketball.
Despite the current uncertainty surrounding sports, the RAPTC Basketball Squad is continuously looking for new talent, both male and female to join the squad and would like to welcome its newest members Sgt (SI) Lowe and Sgt (SI) Tash RAPTC. Once sport in the Army has resumed to some level of normality the team’s main focus, is to plan it’s next OSV and be competitive in the Inter Corps Championships.
Follow us on Instagram @raptcbasketball and Facebook @Royal Army Physical Training Corps Basketball.
RAPTC Basketball Team 2021:
Capt (MAA) Balwah (President) WO1 (SMI) Brown (Chairman) WO2 (QMSI) Rush
SSgt (SSI) Francis (Team Captain) Sgt (SI) Felix (Team Secretary) Sgt (SI) Pun
Sgt (SI) John (Media Operations) Sgt (SI) Lowe
Sgt (SI) Tash
RAPTC BASKETBALL
Sgt (SI) B Felix RAPTC