Page 24 - RADC 2020

UKAF
Basketball
– Belgium
2019
LCpl C London RADC
This year the Army Medical Services (AMS) basketball team put up a tough fight from the beginning and dominated the Inter- Corps Championships, which took place in Grantham, and we brought the trophy home. During this tournament, players had the opportunity to be selected to play at the next level of basketball which is UKAF (United Kingdom Armed Forces).
After the Inter-Corps games, I was awarded MVP (Most Valuable Player)
of the females and approached by the
UKAF coach who selected me to attend Belgium with the UKAF team, a training camp followed by the international games. However, this was with no promises I would be selected for the team due to the standard of players he had already.
The first week of training was in preparation for the games. I thought easy, just more basketball training, same as any other session I have been on or taken. How very wrong I was! UKAF level of training
was incredibly tiring but at the same time
an amazing experience. Both male and female squads trained in UK Vests and all training sessions ran back to back. End
of the training week and the team got selected. The coach had to choose 15 females from 17. Amazingly, I made the cut and got selected for the team with my kit being issued to me that night. I couldn’t wait to play our first game which was against France.
The National anthems were sung before every game for both sides and our game against the hosts for this year S.H.A.P.E was filmed on Facebook Live. Luckily this was one of the games we managed to win. Our games against the other teams were tough and even though we didn’t manage to win, as a team we all played well and the morale never dropped. The closing ceremony of the tournament was like something you would see at the beginning of the Olympics, with each country lined up, their Reps at the front, and flags flying high around the court.
My overall experience of being given
the chance to play at such a high level
of basketball was overwhelming and rewarding. The coach and assisting coaches really put us through our paces to get
the best out of us and I can’t thank them enough. It will be the best memory of my basketball career yet and I look forward to wherever it takes me next.
If you are interested in playing basketball for the AMS/Army/Combined, please
contact me and I will point you in the right direction. No experience required. The coaches we have are great and will support you all the way.
22 RADC BULLETIN 2020
SPORT & AT