Kiwi tries out Aussie touch football

OCDT Vianne Bolwell, a New Zealand Army member currently on exchange at ADFA, was quite the asset to the ACT/NSW state touch football team.

“I grew up in Nelson, which is the top of the South Island, and now my family lives in Christchurch so that’s where I go to visit,” OCDT Bolwell said.

Coming from New Zealand, rugby was understandably a huge part of her upbringing.

“I come from a rugby background – it’s all I’ve really played,” she said.

“Rugby and touch football are really similar, and I’ve got a few good friends who have played touch football. They said to give it a go, it’s basically the same.”

OCDT Bolwell participated in the ACT Country Women’s Open Team at the Defence National Touch Football Championship (DEFNATs) at Gallipoli Barracks.

“This is my first time at DEFNATs, and I’m loving it so far,” OCDT Bolwell said.

“Playing in DEFNATs is honestly a great opportunity.

“It’s been so cool to come up to Enoggera Barracks and see so many Defence players from around Australia.”

OCDT Bolwell had the opportunity to play socially on the ADFA touch football team, the Taipans, and in a civilian team in Canberra before being selected for a team within the Australian Defence Force Touch Football Association (ADFTA).

Outside of touch football, OCDT Bolwell has enjoyed her time both in Australia and at ADFA. 

She found Australian and New Zealand military cultures extremely similar – the only noticeable contrast being the differences between Army, Navy and Air Force officer cadets and midshipmen.

“My time at ADFA so far has been a great experience,” she said.

“I have just loved getting to know the differences in the services and their cultures – we don’t have a triservice academy like this in New Zealand.”

The exchange also provided her with the opportunity to explore a new country in her time off.

“I’ve travelled quite a lot of Australia in my time here, during our semester breaks,” she said.

“I’ve seen Tasmania, Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne.”

In her last year at ADFA, OCDT Bolwell is looking to continue her touch football journey, inspired by her time in Australia.

“Next year, I’m going back to NZ to do OCS [Officer Cadet School], so that’s 10 months of training, but then when I post into my new unit I would be very keen to keep playing touch,” OCDT Bolwell said.

In the meantime, it is clear she made her mark and slotted right into the team.

“I love the Aussies!” she said.

Perhaps in the not-so-distant future, her current team members will see her on the other side of the field in a future Trans-Tasman match between the two defence forces.