Page 174 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
RAPTC SQUASH RACKET ASSOCIATION (SRA)
Squash was one of the last sports to get back to full match play post ‘most’ COVID restrictions in the military. Mainly due to the strict Force Health Protection (FHP) measures
in place and the fact that the game doesn’t allow any social distancing or natural ventilation because it’s played in an enclosed court. Solo play and training were permitted on and off throughout the various lockdowns and this allowed the RAPTC SRA members to stay as sharp and match fit as possible, ready for the upcoming Army events that we compete in.
Injury, operations, rehabilitation, retirements and general military life saw a shift in the seedings for the first time during my secretarial appointment. With consistent ‘B’ team players being pulled into the ‘A’ team for the Army Inter Corps Championships. Struggling to field two strong teams resulted in the ‘B’ team being relegated back to Division 3 and the ‘A’ team maintaining Division 2 status. The intent and aim for the next Championships is a double promotion; wholly achievable if the full team are available!
The highlight of 2021 for us as a team was an invitation to Capt Shaun Carey’s wedding in Blackpool. Eyebrows were raised with the RSVP which included availability for a match against South Shore Squash Club hours before the wedding. Having driven and
(Left) WO2 (QMSI) Wilson collecting his purse for a 2nd placed finish in the Winchester graded Squash Competition. (Right) A convincing win against the Navy for WO2 (QMSI) Stoby in his first call up to the Army Masters team.
Capt ‘Shaun’ Carey’s pre-wedding fixture
been involved with squash in the RAPTC for 30+ years it was an honour for us all to support Shaun with his wishes on the morning of his wedding day. The result was a 4-1 win for the RAPTC and a great start to the day for Shaun who insisted on still using his trusted wooden racket, date stamped 1981 and signed by the great Jahangir Khan. We wish him and Jo all the best for their future.
Having managed to hold the appointment of the RAPTC Squash Secretary for over 4 years, the time has come to reluctantly pass the baton over. With a HOTO complete, WO2 (QMSI) Alan Wilson is charged with pushing the SRA forward. Coaching and development of RAPTCIs is his main effort to keep us competitive during his tenure and the team have no doubts in his vision. Having recently played alongside him at a civilian graded competition he is loosely classed as a professional, after taking home his first purse as a runner up; albeit only enough for one round of beers afterwards!
Never easy to write about yourself, my final paragraph as the SRA Secretary is noting my recent call up to the Army Masters team (having just turned 40), where I was selected to represent and compete in the UKAF Inter Services Championships 22. With one game and one win chalked up so far, I hope to build on the record if selected for future competitions. I also look forward to reading the MBS write up next year by the new secretary (QMSI ‘AJ’ Wilson), where the team would have completed our long awaited Overseas Sports Visit (OSV) to Thailand, which should provide plenty of material to fill more than our standard page of the MBS.
WO2 (QMSI) A Stoby RAPTC
(Left to right) Sgt (SI) Chennell, WO2 (QMSI) Read, Capt Carey, Maj (MAA) Young, Maj (MAA) Windard, WO1 (SMI) Harnden, Sgt (SI) Davies, WO2 (QMSI) McLay