Photo By Cpl. Brianna Christensen | Players compete for the ball during a soccer tournament at the Courtney Bowl on Camp...... read more read more
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CAMP COURTNEY, Japan - The crowd cheered as two teams met midfield to kick off the beginning of the Courtney Open 6-on-6 tournament championship soccer game at the Courtney Bowl on Camp Courtney July 23.
Happy Feet, one of the competing teams, swept the competition, going undefeated the entire tournament and winning the championship game 4-0.
Eight teams, made up of service members, civilians and family members, entered the competition in hopes of claiming the first place trophy.
Marine Corps Community Services holds sporting competitions monthly to provide Marines, sailors and their families with morale-boosting, recreational activities while stationed on Okinawa, according to Brian White, the sports coordinator for MCCS on Camp Courtney.
Although Happy Feet was undefeated, the tournament was very competitive.
“There was not an expected winner. This tournament had really good teams with gifted soccer players. It was definitely up for grabs,” said White.
Both of the final teams trained hard in preparation for this tournament, and there are no hard feelings despite the loss, according to Emmanuel K. Agbemble, the coach of team Base.
According to Jennifer R. Abel, a player on Happy Feet, their team did
not have formal practices, but they trained individually on their own.
Happy Feet was not the only team putting their heart and soul into the tournament.
“My team gave all that they could until fatigue and exhaustion just set in; I’m proud of them,” Agbemble said. “It was a lot of hard work, and they did well for playing four games back-to-back.”
Despite not winning first place, Agbemble is proud of his team for making it to the championship game.
“This tournament felt really good, especially because we beat a team that has beaten us in the past,” said Agbemble.
Most of the members of Happy Feet have been playing together since high school and get together for every tournament.
The team has played in six tournaments this year and has won three of them, placing second in the others.
“Even though we have played in lots of tournaments, this one was especially gratifying because there were so many teams that entered,” said Abel. “The competition was great.”
| Date Taken: | 07.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.28.2011 00:46 |
| Story ID: | 74424 |
| Location: | CAMP COURTNEY, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Healthy competition; Happy Feet kick their way to championship victory, by Cpl Brianna Christensen, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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