Page 80 - Wish Stream Year of 2017

ing the basketball team has been an extremely enjoyable experience for me, highlighting other aspects of the sport that I have often taken for granted’. From the basketball court to the pool, where the swimming team offers an excellent non-impact training session to complement the cadets’ scheduled physical activities; sessions divide swimmers into streams based on ability, and provides the option to swim in a coaching lane to improve on technique and speed in the water. Sessions range from free swims where they manage their own progress, to circuits designed to improve cardiovascular fitness or endurance.
High levels of team ethos run through many of the sports here. Along with Football and Hockey, Academy Rugby is well established and they have regular games against both field Army units and civilian teams. One first team player, OCdt Isaac, tells us: ‘When I arrived at the Academy
Rugby Club for the first time, I was greeted by a welcoming atmosphere. This, combined with the deep sense of history, character and esprit de corps that every aspect of the Academy espouses to, has certainly made playing rugby here unique’.
‘Everyone is equal on the pitch’ is a true state- ment, and one that resonates with the cadets and staff alike. Playing sport has also greatly helped to shape each company’s identity and bonded the cadets closer together through activities such as the Inter-Company sports competition. Whether playing a familiar sport or one that they’ve never tried before, it is the sense of competing with a common goal and the challenge to improve and better themselves that unites them. It is something that the cadets welcome and appreciate in their short but busy time at the Academy.
Sandhurst Rackets Tournament 2017
March 25th – 26th
After a break of many years the Sandhurst Rackets Tournament was revived, mainly due to the enthusiasm and perseverance of Capt Olly Snell, AAC and on the weekend itself, of Charles Fraser (late LG, RMAS Rackets cap- tain 1980, son of Maj MQ Fraser late 7th Hussars, RMAS Captain 1947) who stood in as organiser due to the unexpected deployment of Capt Snell.
Ten pairs assembled at the rackets court on a brisk spring morning, where the initial task was to clear the fencing equipment and sweep the court by creating a self-appointed fatigue party. With a minimum of 4 matches to be played by each pair before the knock-out stage, the
schedule was tight and needed to be precise, but with considerable alacrity due to the all- enveloping Sandhurst mindset, the (mostly civil- ian) competitors immersed themselves into this disciplined structure with the schedule running to perfection with some exciting, high-quality rackets on display. All players were incredibly helpful, and assisted with covering the balls, marking matches and generally supporting the day’s smooth running - none more so than Lt Chris Atkins, RE.
The top two pairs of each league then played semi-finals, with the finalists emerging as Olly Cook & Alexi Pitalis v Ed Hyde & Alexander
Ed Hyde, Alexander Rosier-Pamplin, Hyde and Rosier-Pamplin at dinner in Old College and savouring victory on court Charles Fraser, Alexi Pitalis, Olly Cook
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