HMAS Albatross personnel, Warrant Officer William McConnell and Leading Seaman Nicholas Simmons are in Los Angeles competing in the California Cup International Field Hockey Tournament as members of the Mates4Mates Australian Warriors team.
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The Warriors team is made up of current and past serving ADF members from around Australia.
All have represented Australia in the past as part of the Australian Country Team.
WO MCConnell said that distance has made it impossible to train as a team in the lead up.
“We haven’t been able to train together until we reach LA, however we have all played together in the past, and as recently as late April, when the majority of the team represented their states at the ADF Hockey Championships in Sydney – although some of us were on opposite sides!”
The squad will be away from May 23 to June 4, with the tournament taking place over the Memorial Day long weekend.
“The level of competition in the California Cup is always high,” WO McConnell said.
“We will be playing against a number of teams from the US and Europe and we can expect to be playing against former Olympians in some of the teams. One of our opponents will have two ex-Kookaburras in their playing squad, and we hope to match them across the park. “
In addition to training, fundraising has been another focus for the Warriors.
While team members are using their own leave and money to cover competition expenses they have adopted Mates4Mates as their chosen charity so have been busy raising funds to help the charity in their work supporting current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members, and their families, who have physical or psychological wounds, injuries or illnesses as a result of their service.
“Each member of the squad has been provided a link to the Warriors on www.everydayhero.com.au so those wishing to donate can do so directly,” WO McConnell said.
“A number of us have also organised coin drops or placed collection tins in base canteens. Nicholas and I managed to raise over $1800 with a coin drop at Albatross and were really pleased with the enthusiastic support.
“While we are really excited to be playing at this level we’re also pleased that we had the opportunity to combine the competing in the California Cup with raising money for a great cause.
“It’s really fitting that the tournament takes place over the Memorial Day long weekend, which is a federal holiday in the US for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces and that we are supporting Mates4Mates who do such important work in helping, not just the member, but also their families.
“It can be just as hard for the families to cope with the stories and physical and mental scars that return with the serving member, and this ability to offer support is important to defence members and the community as a whole.”