Barksdale Airmen set to compete in Defender’s Cup

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Gonsier
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Twenty-four Barksdale Airmen will head to San Antonio, to compete in the 2014 Defender's Cup, Aug. 28.

The Defender's Cup is an annual Department of Defense-wide soccer tournament where military personnel from around the world, representing their base, compete against other bases.

"Through a strenuous and difficult process, I was able to choose 22 Airmen from more than 60 who tried out," said Staff Sgt. Jezrell Zimmerman, Barksdale Futbol Club head coach.

Last year, the Barksdale Futbol Club lost all three games, but the team learned a lot from defeat, and believes this year's team will be successful.

"We practice three times a week for two hours, which is a huge improvement compared to last year, where we practiced once a week for around 30 minutes," Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman, who played in the tournament last year, is using his experience, supervising skills and more than 20 years as a soccer player to assist his team in reaching their winning potential.

"Coaching is similar to being a supervisor," Zimmerman added. "By watching my team members practice, I am able to assess and mold each Airman into a better soccer player."

The team consists of Airmen from many different units, including the 26th Operational Weather Squadron, 608th Air and Space Operations Center and 2nd Operations Support Squadron and others.

Senior Airman Steven Willis, 2nd OSS, is competing with the Barksdale FC for his second year, and is using his 26 years of experience to bring the first place trophy home to Barksdale.

"Competing in this tournament helps build teamwork and unity because you are competing with people from different backgrounds, fitness levels and experience in life," said Willis. "It's you and your teammates, against the rest of the bases and branches."

The lessons the Airmen learn playing in this tournament translates off the field as well.

"You must learn how to work as a unit to be an effective force in this competition," said Willis. "If there is a lack of teamwork on the job, the mission won't get done. The same can be said about soccer, if someone is not playing their part, it can cost us the game."

While first place is the team's ultimate goal, there is something more important than that.
"Our goal is to go to the tournament, compete and be the best representation of Barksdale and the surrounding community," Willis said.

Team Barksdale wishes the best of luck to the Futbol Club as they train and prepare to conquer the competition.