Photo By Sgt. Seth Rosenberg | Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and local Japanese residents play soccer during the...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan (Oct. 21, 2018)— As friends and family gather in the bleachers on the sideline, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni residents and local residents line up to start the game. This is different from many of their childhood sports tournaments. This is an international game, a friendly competition between local Japanese children and air station residents at Suo-Oshima, Japan, Oct. 21, 2018.
The children line up to kick off, looking in the opponents’ eyes as they begin the game with a pass to a teammate.
The children put their ball handling on display, a worthy feat, as despite the use of a youth-sized ball, it still reaches near the knee for most of the players. A few stumbles and some less-than-perfect footwork and the parents sit on the sidelines, seemingly anxious for what happens next, hoping for as few new stains as possible.
A parent, immersed in the sport, shouts “Yes!” and jumps out of his seat as the first goal is made. Other parents discuss the game over water and snacks brought in portable coolers and purchased from vending machines located nearby.
“This is my third time attending this event,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard F. Fuerst, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni. “And it’s been one of my favorite events since I’ve been in Iwakuni. For me, over the last few years, this is an event I’ll remember for the rest of my time in the Marine Corps.”
Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) Iwakuni worked with the Chugoku-Shikoku Defense Bureau and Suo-Oshima Town to make this and other events possible, and it works to ensure that families aboard MCAS Iwakuni are immersed in unique experiences.
“MCCS Iwakuni Youth Sports’ mission is to provide MCAS Iwakuni youth with fun, positive activities,” said Rumi Burgel, the master of ceremonies for the soccer tournament. “The Youth Sports program offers opportunities for children ages three to 15 chances to participate in a variety of sports, including baseball, soccer, flag football and cheerleading.”
For more information on MCCS Iwakuni youth sports, go to mccsiwakuni.com.
| Date Taken: | 10.23.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 10.22.2018 19:04 |
| Story ID: | 297305 |
| Location: | SUO-OSHIMA, YAMAGUCHI, JP |
| Web Views: | 73 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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