Page 192 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

Squash Tour

Thailand 2016

By Corporal Andrew Kearsley

Seven members of the AGC Unfortunately, the Thai-Japan Squash Club Royal Thai Army Football
Squash team travelled were extremely well prepared and even Team
put forward the Thai National Number
slightly further afield than 2 player, it was a privilege to watch if
usual in a bid to hone in nothing else. In the afternoon, the team were met
and escorted to the Royal Thai Army
their Squash skills in a very Results Headquarters within Bangkok. We had
different environment. This is arranged to play football against the Royal
Thai Army football team including their
the first time that any Squash Matches (Games) soon to be appointed equivalent of our
team from the British Army AGC Squash vs British Club Bangkok Chief of the General Staff. The football
Lost 1 (4): 6 (20)
had visited Thailand. The AGC Squash vs Thai-Japan Youth Club match itself was eagerly anticipated by the
spectators; there was a large gazebo and
tour was a combination of Lost 0 (1): 8 (24) even commentators, the atmosphere was
squash coaching and tuition AGC Squash vs Royal Bangkok Polo Club very exciting and surreal. The event itself
Lost 3 (11): 4 (16)
was covered by the local newspaper, The
as well as four competitive AGC Squash vs Royal Bangkok Sports Club Bangkok Post. Unfortunately, the result did
matches. Won 4 (15): 4 (14) not go in our favour, despite leading 1-0 for
a long period in the first half. We finally
Bridge Over The River Kwai succumb to a 1:7 defeat.
Training Later that evening we had the pleasure of
The team took the opportunity to travel being hosted by the British Embassy and
to the Kanchanaburi area. The trip gave enjoyed an unexpected but very familiar
The British Club Bangkok was situated a us an amazing opportunity to experience activity of quiz night.
short ten minute walk from the hotel. It an area stacked with history and
served as a top Leisure Centre in the area relevance. We travelled to one of the well
which was ideal for our requirements. It known Burma Railway bridges for some
was immediately apparent that the squash memorable sights and photos. During the
courts had a very different feel compared visit to the area we also travelled to some
to what the team were used to; none more impeccably well preserved and maintained
obvious than the varnished wooden tiled war memorials; it was a truly humbling
flooring which gave the ball a completely experience.
different bounce to it. The biggest challenge
was to get acclimatised in a very short
space of time as the humidity was over Rajkreetha Sports Complex
90% most of the time.
The team travelled to the Rajkreetha
Sports Complex which was a spectacle
Squash Matches to the area consisting of a world class 18
hole golf course surrounded by a full sized
The team played four competitive matches horse racing track. The team felt extremely
against the British Club Bangkok, Thai- privileged to play here as the requirements
Japan Youth Club, Royal Bangkok Polo to join were not easy to come by. Some of
Club and Royal Bangkok Sports Club. the team decided to indulge in a less costly
All the matches were an experience due activity however, after disappearing for
to different courts/flooring, and most a few minutes at a time only to reappear
notably the strength of the opposition. with suspiciously similar haircuts costing a
When the team visited the Thai-Japan mere £2.
Stadium, Bangkok the squash courts
here were pleasantly modern and the
team were made to feel very welcome.

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