Photo By Cpl. Cedar Barnes | U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 22 pose for a group photo...... read more read more
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DARWIN, AUSTRALIA. – Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 22 is focused on readiness, lethality, and regional support to Allies and partners, but they are also taking chances to learn and develop cultural experience through a time-tested activity: football.
Football is a sport loved around the world. Americans love football, Australians love football, and many other international fans love football. Depending on who or where you ask, however, the description of “football” might change dramatically. MRF-D 22 connects them all.
“Sports are universal languages among all cultures, so applying my football background to AFL and rugby was a natural way for me to connect to the Australians,” said First Lieutenant Jarvis Polu, an air support control officer for the MRF-D Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and former Navy Football star. “It's always a pleasure to interact with the locals, and I never pass up an opportunity to tackle someone on the grid-iron.”
Lieutenant Polu is one of many MRF-D members participating in a variety of unique athletic opportunities during the 11th iteration of the deployment. Because of his passion for teamwork and fitness, he spends his limited free time practicing a pair of new sports with both the MRF-D Australian Football (AFL) and MRF-D Rugby teams.
In addition to AFL and rugby, MRF-D also fields an indoor soccer team, yet another form of “football” the task force participates in.
“It has been an amazing experience learning how to play rugby and Australian football. We are playing and in some cases learned three different forms of football during the rotation, and all of them help us stay active and meet new people in the process,” explained Staff Sergeant Antonio DeLaFuente, the communication strategy chief and one of three MAGTF members who plays on all MRF-D athletic teams. “It has been a challenge to understand the new set of rules, but after a few games it all made sense. I will take any opportunity that involves playing a sport and representing the Marine Corps.”
While the sports are a form of leisure and an outlet to relax for the Marines, they also offer a connection to the community, and a rich history in the relationship between the U.S. and Australia. All three teams interact with local Darwin clubs or groups and help bolster the strong bond between the MAGTF and the community. Through learning and playing the games, Marines and Sailors new to Australia better understand and share the same passions the Australians proudly boast.
“I always enjoy opportunities to work and spend time with our American allies, but MRF-D 22 took the relationship to a whole new level, especially through our sports,” said a senior defence communication director and lifelong Collingwood fan who works closely with MRF-D. “It is a lot of fun to see the Marines embrace AFL and just shows how dedicated they are to our relationship and to our culture.”
The Collingwood Football Club offers additional Australian-American history. Mason Cox, the only American in the AFL, is a star for the Magpies, and his presence will lead many MRF-D members to cheer for Collingwood during the upcoming finals tournament. In addition to fielding the American, Collingwood’s home stadium, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, hosted the 1st Marine Division following the Guadalcanal Campaign. Heroes such as John Basilone, Chesty Puller, and Alexander Vandegrift lived on the same territory Collingwood calls home.
Melbourne-native and current University of Georgia football player, Brett Thorson, could be the next great American-Australian athletic connection. Thorson, who grew up playing the Australian version of football, will now spend American Saturdays wearing the same red and black as the MRF-D 22 commanding officer, a proud Georgia Bulldogs fan.
“I am certainly proud of the reigning national champion Georgia Bulldogs heading into this football season, but I am more proud of our Marines and Sailors who continue to find ways to bring the MAGTF closer together with the Australian community,” expressed Colonel Chris Steele, MRF-D’s leader and South Georgia native. “Not only do these sports represent the fitness and teamwork values of the Marine Corps, but they demonstrate some of the many ways MRF-D is truly a part of the Darwin and Australian family.”
Georgia Football and the United States Marine Corps are no strangers, either. Frank Sinkwich, Georgia’s first Heisman Trophy winner, enlisted in the Marine Corps and accepted the coveted trophy in uniform in 1942. Another Georgia legend, Howard Johnson, gave up his role with the Green Bay Packers to serve in the Marines, ultimately sacrificing his life in service during the victorious assault on Iwo Jima.
“It is natural for Marines to want to compete in athletics, especially in physical, contact sports. It was a humbling experience competing in these new sports - Australian Football and rugby are challenging and very different from the sports I grew up with,” said Sergeant Blake Roessel, a headquarters company platoon sergeant and another of the tri-sport MRF-D athletes. “Sports are gateways into any culture and a great way to bring different communities together with shared interests.”
The history of these sports brings a fun, yet meaningful addition to the deployment for MRF-D Marines and Sailors. Learning Australian culture, to include their favorite games, helps build relationships and comradery across units and across the Pacific. As the MAGTF gears up for American football season, it will also remember the time spent playing Australian sports with treasured Allies.
For questions regarding this story, please contact the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin media inquiry email address at MRFDMedia@usmc.mil. Imagery from this rotation and previous can be found at dvidshub.net/unit/MRF-D.
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 08.22.2022 00:06 |
| Story ID: | 427468 |
| Location: | AU |
| Web Views: | 359 |
| Downloads: | 35 |
This work, MRF-D 22 and the International Football Connection, by MAJ Joseph DiPietro, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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