Yokota Air Base, Japan -- Living in a foreign country can be challenging, especially when you are not fluent in the host nations language. One of the ways service members bridges gaps of language, the unknown and creates friendships is through volleyball.
The Yokota Air Base men’s and women’s volleyball team compete in various tournaments on and off base against local Japanese teams which helps strengthen bonds with members of the local communities and surrounding areas.
“This allows us to meet people that have a common interest and participate in an athletic event to keep up with fitness and bond relationships while competing,” said Brian Mentel, Yokota women’s volleyball coach. “Participating in tournaments like this helps us build stronger relationships with our neighbors outside the gate as we play at a competitive level.”
Both of Yokota’s teams recently competed against Japanese teams within the Kanto Plains during a Fourex League Volleyball tournament in Tachikawa, Japan, Jan. 28, 2018. Each team within the tournament played a minimum of three games, depending on how well they did.
“Creating relationships within the areas surrounding the base is very important because not a lot of people in the local communities know what we do on base,” Mentel said. “We are foreigners in their land, so if we reach out to the communities and help them better understand what we are doing on base, it will help strengthen our ties.”
Senior Airman Trey White, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, used the skills he gained during competitions throughout the Kanto Plains to make it to the All Air Force level.
“Playing on the base team set me up for being able to play at the next level,” White said. Being on the base team helps me sharpen my skills throughout the year to be more prepared to play at the All Air Force level.”
White came back to Yokota with more confidence and learned new ways to practice which he used to help his teammates be better prepared for competing in tournaments.
“It’s essential to have a relationship off and on the court because if you get to know your teammates on a more personal level then you will be able to play better in games,” White said. “Being able to play in Japan while meeting people who enjoy doing the same thing is great, because you are able to build friendships with a wide variety of people through playing sports.”
Playing in tournaments like this one not only helps Yokota athletes hone their skill sets as they prepare to play in other competitions, it helps people from both nations learn about each other’s lives.
“A real nice thing about playing volleyball with Japanese people is that they are very competitive and fundamental so it gives us very good competition while we bond through that, and you get to know people on more of a personal basis,” Mentel said. “This helps create a nice sense of community as we learn about our host nation’s culture and they learn about ours.”