Lady Bombers prepare season kick-off

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Veronica McMahon
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  The base-wide women's soccer team, Lady Bombers, is scheduled to kick-off their seven-a-side season Oct. 16, and is still actively looking for recruits.

The competitive and varsity-play soccer team is open to females of any military affiliation older than 15 years of age.

"In the true spirit of the Joint Region, the Air Force and the Navy have combined their most talented to create a competitive soccer team, the Lady Bombers," said Maj. Christa Sechrist, 36th Medical Support Squadron pharmacist and Lady Bomber player.
 
"The team mainly targets women who have an affiliation to the Andersen military community, but is open to all women who have an affiliation to the Guam military community. Dependents are also welcome to participate."

According to Major Sechrist, the team began in January 2006 and has since competed in every Guam Football Association women's league event. Master Sgt. Chad Albe began as the original coach, and after guiding the team through many victories, has recently passed the torch to Master Sgt. Kevin Avila.

"It's a competitive varsity-play team," said Sergeant Avila. "And although we practice on base, the games are downtown against non-military affiliated teams in Guam."

Sergeant Avila has been coaching soccer for roughly 18 years, but has only taken the lead as the Lady Bomber's coach for three months and said he is very impressed.

"Being the coach has been a blast so far," Sergeant Avila said. "Especially with the competitiveness and the drive the women have. I am proud to say I am the Lady Bomber's coach."

The players have also found a passion for the sport.

"I cannot put into words the honor and privilege it has been being a Lady Bomber and what it has meant to me," Major Sechrist said.

Seven-a-side soccer is league is focused on team building and is a prelude for the premier league, 11-a-side, which starts in 2012. The Lady Bombers currently practice at the base track Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., and are always seeking players.

All perspective players should e-mail the team coach, Sergeant Avila, at kevin.avila@andersen.af.mil or waterfuel9@gmail.com with a brief description of experience level, positions played and age.