About 20 female Sailors and Coast Guardsmen from various commands came together at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi earlier this month to compete for a spot on the 2016 All-Navy Women's Basketball Team.

NASCC Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Fitness hosted the camp June 10-29. Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi corpsmen also assisted each day with taping and any medical attention the athletes needed.

The final 12 players who made the team have been practicing and scrimmaging in preparation for the Armed Forces Sports Championship in San Antonio July 1-7.

The players underwent a competitive tryout process.

"They were evaluated on their dribbling, shooting, [and] basketball IQ," said Tonya Strobridge, who has been coaching the team since 2012. "It's not just their skills, talent and knowledge of the game, but also how well they come together and work as a team."

The All-Navy Women's Basketball Team will represent the Navy in the Armed Forces Sports Championship, where they will compete against other services.

Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) manages the All-Navy Sports program, which allows Sailors who possess the athletic skills to compete above the intramural level, in team or individual sports -- a chance to represent the Navy at higher level athletic competitions.

Annual All-Navy teams participate in the Department of Defense Sports program and compete in the Armed Forces Championships against teams from the Marine Corps, Army and Air Force.
The sports consist of men's and women's basketball, soccer, cross country, bowling, volleyball, golf, softball, triathlon, marathon, rugby and wrestling.

"The Navy teams are operated from a budget provided by CNIC; their goal is to put the 'best of the best' Navy players on the field, court or alley," said James Senn, Navy Sports program manager. "They do this through a series of nationwide tryouts in various locations."

After the tryouts the teams are picked and, depending on the sport, players go through a mini-camp to get ready for the season.

"These young Sailors are not just good basketball players, and the All-Navy Sports Program is not just about sports," Senn added.

Most of the women basketball players who have spent the past few weeks at NAS Corpus Christi said they were proud to be a part of the team.

"All-Navy women's basketball means a lot to me," said Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Taylor Jones, who is assigned to Air Operations at Naval Station Norfolk. "I get to meet new people and build new friendships with people who share the same love for the game as I do."

Jones has two years U.S. Navy service and is a native of Austin, Texas. It's her first year playing with the All-Navy team, and she plays guard.

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Kenyatta Gatlin is a center and forward, and has been with the team for two years. The Griffin, Georgia, native is currently stationed aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) homeported in Norfolk.

"I am thankful for this opportunity to serve my country along with doing something that I love, which is playing basketball,"
Gatlin added. "I have been doing this for four years (playing All-Navy) and I'm grateful for this blessing."

They also took time out of their schedule to visit with children and their families staying at the local Ronald McDonald House.

Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) 2nd Class Kristina Farmer, a native of Pensacola, Florida, who is a forward on the team summed it up.

"It shows that we have more to offer the service than what we do in uniform," said Farmer.

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