George Washington Sailors Play Australian Semi-pro Soccer Team
Story Number: NNS130731-26Release Date: 7/31/2013 9:49:00 PM
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By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean La Marr, U.S. George Washington Public Affairs
BRISBANE, Australia (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington's (CVN73) soccer team competed in a friendly match against an Australian semi-professional club June 29.
George Washington's 21-member soccer team competed against the
Rochedale Rovers, at Underwood Park, in front of more than 400 fans.
"I was excited as soon as I heard the idea that sailors from the USS George Washington were going to come down and play Rochedale rovers," said the Honorable John Grant, a Brisbane parliament member. "After all, this is a really special occasion."
George Washington's players were underway for more than a month prior to the game, and had to get creative with their preparation with no soccer field to practice on.
The Yokosuka Captains Cup, Yokosuka Intramural and Camp Fuji Memorial Soccer Champions participated in conditioning classes, such as George Washington's Total Body Fit, interval training, and utilized open space in the ship's hangar bays to scrimmage.
"It was a good game," said Yeomen 2nd Class Rafael Flores, the manager of the George Washington soccer team. "They gave us some real good competition that showed us what we need to work on."
The game gave George Washington another opportunity to work with and strengthen our relationship with a key partner and ally in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
George Washington is currently participating in exercise Talisman Saber (TS) 2013. The TS series is a biennial training event aimed at improving Australian Defence Force (ADF) and U.S. combat readiness and interoperability as a Combined Joint Task Force.
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