1st Lt. Richard Nova, 65th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of Programs Management, will compete for a spot on the All Air Force Soccer Team at Lackland AFB, Texas, from Sept. 2 to 22. He is just one of two Airmen in U.S. Air Forces Europe to have earned an invitation to the training camp. (Courtesy photos)
1st Lt. Richard Nova, 65th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of Programs Management, will compete for a spot on the All Air Force Soccer Team at Lackland AFB, Texas, from Sept. 2 to 22. He is just one of two Airmen in U.S. Air Forces Europe to have earned an invitation to the training camp. (Courtesy photos)
1st Lt. Richard Nova, 65th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of Programs Management, will compete for a spot on the All Air Force Soccer Team at Lackland AFB, Texas, from Sept. 2 to 22. He is just one of two Airmen in U.S. Air Forces Europe to have earned an invitation to the training camp. (Courtesy photos)
by Staff Sgt. Erica Horner
65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
8/23/2012 - LAJES FIELD, Azores -- An officer from Lajes Field will compete for one of 18 spots on the All Air Force Soccer Team at Lackland AFB, Texas, from Sept. 4 to 22.
1st Lt Richard Nova, 65th Civil Engineer Squadron Chief of Programs Management, has been playing soccer since he was four years old, and hopes to earn a spot on the team for a second time in his career.
"I feel nothing but pure excitement," said Nova, who played for the team in 2010. "This is a great opportunity; I just want to contribute to the team and help the Air Force bring home the gold."
Nova pre-qualified for the training camp in San Antonio by submitting an Air Force Form 303 that detailed his lifetime of soccer experience.
"The coaches review all the forms and then select the people they feel are most qualified to attend the training camp," he said. Nova also played collegiate soccer for Clemson University and competed as a member of the Georgia Olympic Development Program Team.
Of approximately 80 applicants Air Force-wide, Nova was one of only two people from U.S. Air Forces Europe to have earned an invitation to the training camp.
In preparation for training camp, Nova has been running roughly 20 miles a week, participating in extensive cardiovascular training and working on his foot skills. He's also been playing with the Lajes Field soccer team, the 65th CES intramural team and a local Portuguese team in nearby Praia da Vitoria.
"The Portuguese are very talented and have a very different style of play than Americans," said Nova, who feels that being stationed overseas has been beneficial for him. "They are very skilled with the ball and focus on formation and quick play. While playing here, I have had to develop the Portuguese way of playing. In doing so, my foot skills have improved, and I have learned to play quicker."
Once tryouts are complete, players will be notified on whether they have made the Air Force team. Of the entire field of applicants, only 18 will be selected.
"After try-outs, the selected members will fly to Camp Pendleton, Calif., to participate in the Armed Forces Men's Soccer Championships," said Nova.
His family will travel to watch him compete if selected.
Nova said he is very grateful for this opportunity.
"I want to thank my leadership for giving me this opportunity, and I especially want to thank the Mission Support Group and Civil Engineer Squadron for being flexible so I can leave for a month," said Nova, who also credits the Fitness Center for helping with his training.
"I am excited to represent Lajes at the Air Force level, and I plan on bringing home the gold medal."
