The RAFBBA competed in the 2009 Coalition Component (Air) (CCAIR) basketball touranment in Tongerlo Belgium against the Dutch, German, Belgian and US (Europe) Air Forces Basketball Teams. This is the highest level that is played by the Single Service basketball teams and demands a very high standard of skill and fitness.

Men's Results

The Men were unable to field a full senior squad this year and so used the opportunity to give some experience of top-level basketball to some of the junior menbers of the squad. Despite playing very competitively they were often outsized by the other teams, many of which had international players in thier team.

The Men lost all three of their group matches despite playing exceptinoally well and coping with a couple of injuries.  No team was given an easy ride and the American team were, at one point looking, obviously shocked by the determination of the Brits. 

RAF 63 v 75 BAC

RAF 49 v 110 GAF

RAF 54 v 66 USAFE

The 3rd / 4th Play-off saw a second resurgence of the RAF as they battled against the Belgian team for the second time.  It was a hard fought battle but one in which they were eventually overcome by the higher experience and skill levels of the opposition.

RAF 63 v 75 BAC

The final was a very competitive affair which saw the 2 giants of the competition playing hard to win.  The Germans were the eventual victors.

USAFE 83 v 88 GAF

Ladies Results

The Ladies team was unable to present a full strength squad due to operational commitments and so used the opportunity to give some experience to some of the newer players on the squad.  They played very well as a team and managed a narrow victory against the German team in their first match, unfortunately they lost their next to matches against the Americans and Belgians.  The Dutch team were also defeated at the end of the pool stage which positione dthe RAF in third place.

RAF 19 v 16 GAF

RAF 18 v 51 USAFE

RAF 17 v 33 BAC

RAF 43 v 35 RNLAF

The 3rd / 4th Play-off against the German team was a game of 2 distinct halves.  A tired-looking RAF group could not quite pull together during the first half and were more than 20 points down at half time.  Following a short break however they reemerged as a team once more and slowly clawed the score difference back and take the lead with 2 minutes to go.  The lead changed numerous times in the last few minutes resultig in an eventual win by one point for the RAF.

RAF 54 v 53 GAF

The final was slightly one-sided with the Americans pulling ahead and taking charge for a good victory.

BAC 40 v 70 USAFE

At the end of the tournament Cpl Janine Hogarth, RAF Halton, was presented with an award for sportsmanship having been selected by the referees present.

REFEREES

Three referees were selected to represent the RAF during the competition: WO Andy Richardson, FS Shaun Errington and SAC Chris Bolt.  All performed exceptionally well throughout the competition and as such were all rewarded with the honour of refereeing a final.  WO Richardson refereed the Ladies final while FS Errington and SAC Bolt were responsible for the very firey and highly charged Men's final.  A great effort from all referees!