CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The Air Force Rugby team will once again set foot on Camp Lejeune, N.C., in quest of their fifth championship in seven years with two members from Charleston AFB.
Combining precision with determination and sound play, Lt. Col. Dan Lockert, Air Force Rugby coach, and 25 of the best rugby players the Air Force has to offer will be poised to defeat sister services in the 2007 Armed Forces Rugby Championships Oct. 22 to 27.
Among the players traveling to North Carolina are Charleston AFB's own Capt. Johnathan Eccles, 15th Airlift Squadron, and Senior Airman James Hubby, 437th Comptroller Squadron.
Having participated in Armed Forces Rugby Championships for the past three years, Airman Hubby is poised to help the Air Force bring home their fourth consecutive championship.
The competition features a fierce rivalry that is expected in an inter-service competition, and those who are unfamiliar with the sport quickly learn that during a rugby game, it's best to have an ambulance on-site. With 12 games in three days between teams representing the five branches of the U.S. armed forces, emergency medical technicians prove essential.
The Air Force will attempt to duplicate last year's performance by capturing first place, while going undefeated in round-robin play.
Named to the all-tournament team just a year ago, Airman Hubby was also selected to play for the Combined Services All-Star Team in the 2006 USA Rugby All Star Championships Dec. 1 to 3 in Kissimme, Fla. The tournament pitted stars of all services against regional club teams from across America.
"We have a lot of returning people from the team in the past three years so I think we have a good chance of winning the championship," said Airman Hubby.
For all of the players and coaches, the servicemembers who are unable to make the championships each year because of deployments overseas are never far from mind.
"It is important that everyone remember the servicemembers fighting terrorism and those who are currently in harm's way," said Airman Hubby.
In 2006, a ceremony took place in remembrance of fallen ruggers. Each service was represented by a member of the team while a bell sounded after each name was read aloud.
Camp Lejeune will host the Armed Forces Rugby Championships on W.P.T. Hill Field, a pristine field which has hosted the championships since 2004.
For more information regarding Air Force rugby, contact the Air Force sports office at web.sports@agency.afsv.af.mil.