Hurlburt Airmen get their kicks on the All-Air Force soccer team

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lauren Johnson
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Two Hurlburt Field Airmen were selected for the All-Air Force soccer team Jan. 18 at the Air Force soccer trials at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

Brendan Greenaway, 20th Special Operations Squadron, and Peter Miller, 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, will travel to North Carolina to compete in the Armed Forces tournament later this month.

"The team was very happy that all of our talent was not overlooked," said Coach Jeffrey Lazenby, 1st Special Operations Helicopter Maintenance Squadron.

Mr. Greenaway and Mr. Miller were joined at the trials by teammates Rocky Zaccheus, 16th Special Operations Squadron, and Joseph Adu, 1st Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron.

Coach Lazenby, who has been playing soccer at Hurlburt since 2000, said this is the first time he's seen so many team members selected for the trials.

The accomplishment is especially impressive because the Hurlburt soccer team has no returning players. 

Mr. Greenaway has been a team member since arriving at Hurlburt in the summer of 2007.

"I played in college and wanted to keep playing," he said. "It's a good chance to meet new people."

Mr. Greenaway said playing on the base team also provides an opportunity to break the lines of the work environment.

"It's just people getting together who have common interests; people who enjoy soccer and have a good time playing together," he said.

Being involved in the team is "a great opportunity to represent the Air Force outside your career field," Mr. Adu agreed.

He said playing on the All-Air Force team furthers these opportunities, bringing together Airmen from bases across the globe who form personal and professional networks.

Coach Lazenby attributes the team's recent success to playing year-round, maturing and developing together, and working hard to be successful.

In order to be eligible for the trials the players had to fill out Air Force Form 303, Request for USAF Specialized Sports Training, which is like a sports resume. The forms were forwarded to the Headquarters Air Force Services Agency, where 38 Airmen were selected to compete for 10 positions on the All-Air Forces team.

By making the cut for the All-Air Force team, Mr. Greenaway and Mr. Miller can also be selected to play on the All-Armed Forces team, which competes internationally in the Military World Games.

"If you have a talent for any sport, fill out the form and try your luck," Mr. Adu said. "Take advantage of the opportunity, and don't let your talent go to waste."

The coach and players also stressed they're always looking for more players on the base team. For information about the Hurlburt Field soccer team, contact Jeffrey Lazenby.

For information about All-Air Force sports, visit www.usafsports.com/.