Okinawa Diplomats hosts Community Cup aboard Camp Lester

Photo By Staff Sgt. Danielle Prentice | CAMP LESTER, OKINAWA, Japan— Teams and parents gather during an award ceremony after the 2nd Annual Community Cup hosted by the Okinawa Diplomats Youth Futbol Club Dec. 8 aboard Camp Lester, Okinawa, Japan. This is an all-volunteer organization, made of participants from the local and military communities. The coaches take turns refereeing the games, and volunteers set up, work concessions and help as line-judges during games. The ODYFC is a competitive soccer club for children in the military community. The club hosts seasons in the fall and spring, inviting teams from across Okinawa to compete aboard Camp Lester. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Danielle R. Prentice)  

CAMP LESTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

12.10.2017

Story by Lance Cpl. Danielle Prentice 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

The Okinawa Diplomats Youth Futbol Club hosted 34 soccer teams during their 2nd Annual Community Cup Dec. 8-9 aboard Camp Lester.

The ODYFC is a competitive soccer club for children in the military community. The club hosts seasons in the fall and spring, inviting teams from across Okinawa to compete aboard Camp Lester.

This is an all-volunteer organization, made of participants from the local and military communities. The coaches take turns refereeing the games, and volunteers set up, work concessions and help as line-judges during games, according to Cmdr. Timothy Powell a surgeon with the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan, and a coach and parent of two girls in the ODYFC.

“This experience as a whole is extraordinary,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jedd Lucas, an explosive ordinance disposal specialist with 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, and a parent of two boys in the ODYFC. “It’s a lot of fun for the kids. It allows them to play a sport they all love, overcome a language gap, and have a great time together.”

The family-friendly atmosphere bridged culture gaps by allowing everyone to enjoy a sport they love, and taught kids good sportsmanship and competition.

“I think this is a great way for the local and U.S. children to have a chance to experience competition in a multicultural environment where they get to play with teams from all over Okinawa,” said Powell. “It’s a win-win, for the U.S. children and the children of Okinawa who share the love for soccer, and get the opportunity to come on base and compete in a tournament setting. This helps build relations between the local community and military community, not just with the kids, but also the parents. It creates lasting friendships.”

Throughout the tournament, parents and their kids set up resting areas in the shade to eat and prepare for their long day of games.

“Bringing this many teams together in one weekend does exactly what the community cup was intended to do,” said Staff Sgt. Manson Fowler, a driver instructor with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan, and president and coach of the ODYFC. “That is to build a community that comes together to have fun playing a game that they all love, regardless of their background. My favorite part is just walking around to each of the fields and meeting all of the players and coaches from each team. I hope for this tournament to continue for years to come.”

• Date Taken: 12.10.2017
• Date Posted: 12.17.2017 23:46
• Story ID: 259246
• Location: CAMP LESTER, OKINAWA, JP