The Air Force Football Association (AFFA) masters team delivered a strong showing at the Viking Challenge – the popular annual six-a-side football tournament in Forster-Tuncurry hosted by Great Lakes United Football Club from March 7 to 8.

In a competitive line-up of community sides, the team displayed disciplined defending and solid possession in play.

They navigated the group stage with two clean-sheet draws and a 1–0 victory, progressing to the knockouts on goal difference. The quarterfinal followed suit with another 1–0 win, again with a goal from player FLTLT Venkata Sangaraju, earning them a spot in the semi-finals.

Defensive resilience defined the campaign, with the AFFA team conceding just one goal across the entire tournament – in their semi-final defeat. 

The AFFA masters team’s head coach, Sergeant Nima Nikfarjam, said his team upheld their defensive principle to an excellent level throughout the tournament.

“We stuck to that shape, we trusted the process we had in place and we respected it. That was the result of having games very tight and not conceding many goals the whole tournament,” Sergeant Nikfarjam said.

The semi-final proved frustrating with an early error handing the opposition a goal within 15 seconds. While the AFFA team controlled the rest of the match and created numerous chances, they hit the crossbar and post. 

“We dominated the whole game, so it was a very unlucky game to lose,” Sergeant Nikfarjam said.

The demanding back-to-back fixtures tested endurance, but the aviators’ high level of fitness was clear.

“As Air Force personnel, we get four hours gym time on a weekly basis,” he said.

“We were one of the fittest teams in the competition. The boys showed excellent resilience and they didn't let the fatigue play any part in the game.”

'Football is a universal language. You can get involved with players, have a good time, network and make a lot of friends.'

Beyond the results, the weekend reinforced football’s role as a community connector and a showcase for Defence values.

Spectators, players and families engaged with the team, leading to conversations about ADF life and opportunities. 

“We had people coming to us and talking about Air Force, and that, for me, is a favourite part of these types of events,” Sergeant Nikfarjam said.

“I always talk about the opportunities like this one – we get to come and play sports while we’re representing.

“In the past, I’ve managed to bring two or three people in, just through sport in the community.”

Sergeant Nikfarjam, a communications electronics technician based at RAAF Williamtown, brings his own inspiring journey to the role. 

After university studies in aviation electronics in Iran and completing compulsory national service, he arrived in Australia in 2007 on a working holiday visa that extended into a permanent new chapter. He joined the Air Force in 2014.

For him, football provided an essential bridge.

“Football was an outlet for me to get into the community,” Sergeant Nikfarjam said.

“I knew no one. I was on my own. There was the language barrier and a different culture. Football is a universal language. You can get involved with players, have a good time, network and make a lot of friends.”

Events like the Viking Challenge help build team cohesion in preparation for major fixtures, including the ADF National Championship in Sydney from October 19 to 24, where the AFFA masters team are determined to reclaim the trophy lost to Army last year.

“Tournaments like Vikings can bring everyone together, especially some of the players who may not get the chance to come to the interservice,” Sergeant Nikfarjam said.

“They come and see, feel they are appreciated and know they’re part of our team.”