Friendly matches strengthen bonds between Samoan Police and HMAS Choules crew

Joseph Guenzler Published July 26, 2024 at 9.00am (AWST)

sport

Members of the Samoan Police Service and ship’s company of HMAS Choules congratulate each other after the completion of a friendly touch football match in Apia, Samoa. (Image: Leading Seaman Matthew Lyal)l

The Samoan Police Service have triumphed over the crew of HMAS Choules in touch football and volleyball matches in Apia on Thursday.

The event in Samoa's capital celebrated the nations' shared love of sport.

The Samoan Police team faced the Navy-Army team in touch football, with a 5-5 tie at halftime.

The local police's speed and tenacity, aided by their familiarity with the tropical conditions, led them to a narrow 11-10 victory.

Australian Army Sergeant Georgia Smart of Choules described the game as an amazing opportunity to play footy against their Samoan friends.

"It was a lot of fun," she said.

"The Samoans were fast, well-versed across the field.

"You could definitely feel the passion and camaraderie out there."

In volleyball, the Choules team initially led with a 15-6 win.

However, the Samoans rallied, winning the next two games 15-13 and 15-8 to clinch the series.

Commanding Officer Choules and Commander Arron Convery thanked Samoan Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo for Samoa's hospitality, presenting a plaque on behalf of the crew.

HMAS Choules is a Bay-class landing ship that served with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary from 2006 to 2011 before being purchased by the Royal Australian Navy.

Midshipman Mitchell Nield and Royal New Zealand Navy Sub Lieutenant Agnieske Keenan from HMAS Choules help build a greenhouse at Tuana'i Seventh Day Adventist. (Image: Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall)

Choules visited Samoa during a southwest Pacific regional presence deployment in June and July, part of Australia's ongoing engagement with Pacific partners.

At the Tuana'i Seventh Day Adventist Church, crew members built greenhouses to help the village grow vegetables.

These greenhouses will protect crops from pests, enabling the village to enjoy more fresh produce.

Church member Jasmine Joerimann said the greenhouses will be a significant boost to the local community.

"The locals already know how to work the land; this will give them extra tools for what they're already doing," she said.

"The greenhouses will give the families access to nutritious food, or they can sell the vegetables for extra income."

In Vailele, another team from Choules repaired the local community centre, patching the ceiling, fixing flyscreens, cleaning the playground, and building garden beds for local families.

Navy Chaplain Simote Finau said it was rewarding to help mend the hall.

"It's a place for people to come together to share a meal; for school, sports, choirs, and other meetings," he said.

"The ship's company experienced the generosity and hospitality of the Samoan community of Vailele, who provided us with lunch."