Page 185 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

backing dancer for the live singer. Evident as a young British child might spend all Let’s Go Raptors
throughout the tour was how sport day outside playing football, it would
unites people. Canadians of all ages, seem his Canadian counterpart is busy I was lucky enough to get a ticket to watch
backgrounds and genders were quick to playing basketball. Showcasing nurtured the Toronto Raptors beat the Cleveland
welcome us and we had a wonderful time talent and a level of enthusiasm verging Cavaliers at the Air Canada Centre in
with them supporting the Toronto Raptors. on ravenousness, they played as if Toronto. Just my luck it seemed to be
every basket was the difference between sitting next to the only Cavaliers fan in
glory and defeat. It was quite a shock the building that evening amongst a sea
considering this was supposed to be a rest of Raptors fans. He was overshadowed by
day. The AGC men’s team put up a good the electric atmosphere in the arena with
fight, but they definitely got ‘schooled’. the score ending in 105 – 99 to the Raptors.
The last five minutes of play was so tense
the whole arena was sitting on the edge
Coming Together
of their seats and you could almost hear
the combined heart beats of each person
Both the AGC men’s and women’s
William Ebot presents the AGC banner to the opposition teams’ dynamics were very strong. The waiting nervously for the result.
camaraderie both on and off court was
brilliant and I felt a massive sense of Looking Forward
support from everyone (even when missing
Going Hard In The Paint the basket). One particular person who My time in Canada with the AGC
stood out for me was the Team Captain Basketball team was fantastic. With the
The Men’s team had their first game for the women’s team, Corporal Kirsty exception of Tour Guide Dale’s jokes and
against the mixed Ottawa Police at St. McKissock, with her ‘nothing is too much Corporal Salome Tupou’s nine pairs of
Peter’s High School in Orleans, Ottawa. trouble’ attitude, optimistic personality shoes which never made it out of the hotel
It is well known that tall players have a and abundance of first aid supplies to lobby in Ottawa, the trip was a complete
distinct advantage due to their reach but hand at any given moment. She was the success. I learnt new skills and the whole
here I learned that strength is equally glue that held our team together. The team bonded excellently which should
important given that the seemingly non- morale and temperament of the team was make a difference ahead of the 2016
contact sport is anything but. It was a proven when Lance Corporal Laura Wright Inter-Corps Championships in October.
fast and explosive game and a great one suffered a dislocation in the last women’s Now back home I am grateful to Warrant
to watch. The men’s team also played game, but still managed to crack a few Officer Class One Tom Hill for his efforts in
against Canadian Air Force Trenton near jokes despite her finger pointing anywhere making the trip happen and I am looking
Toronto. This was the closest of all the but to the basket. forward to October where we will come
games, with the scores neck and neck for back stronger than ever with the cry of
the first two quarters. The tour was more ‘123 AGC’.
about experimenting with tactics and
giving players some court time than going
for the win at any cost. The Air Force came
out on top, but not without suffering some
defence-splitting dribbles by Sergeant
Sidney Cardoz and some expert play
beneath the basket by Army Basketball
veteran Sergeant Leo Alexander.

Schooled

In forging relationships with some of
the players and coaches there, the men’s
team managed to arrange an extra game
at short notice. Upon hearing that the
opponents would be a high school team,
the stage looked set for a sweeping victory.
‘Go easy on them’ came the proclamation
from the high school coach to his team,
the words causing a few wry smiles from
the AGC players. Glancing around the
stereotypically North American sports
hall, I was impressed by the number of
awards and accolades adorning the walls.
On the tip off, it all became clear. Just

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