Hundreds of players took to the fields at Brennan Park last weekend to square off in Squamish's annual Soccerfest and split an impressive $10,150 pot of prize money.
"This turned out to be a really, really good year," said Jose Oreamuno, Squamish Soccer Association co-chairman. "The weather has been good and this is one of our best years."
After more than 140 games played the Punjab Hurricanes and the Sapperton Rovers came away as the top prize-winners earning $1,100 each.
The Hurricanes were able to oust GN Sporting Club in the Men's Open finals to take first spot. GN made it to the big match by ousting local squad Rona Rangers in the semi-finals. Rona, who eventually lost the bronze medal match to ACBC, was Squamish's top finishing team.
Rona's placing was something of a surprise, as the club struggled on occasion through regular season play in the Howe Sound Men's League, but still advanced further in the tournament than league champions Whistler FC and cup contender Howe Sound Brew Pub.The Women's Open final was a battle of the Rovers, with the Shamrock Rovers squaring off against the Sapperton Rovers, with Sapperton eking out the win.
In the Men's 30 Plus division the Richmond All Blacks knocked out Vancouver-based club Fresh is Best to take home $900 in prize money, with Coogars finishing in third.
Perennial contenders Cliff Avenue repeated as champs in the Over 40 Men's division, defeating the IFC Strikers for the $1,000 first place prize.
On the ladies Over 30 side Super Loma finished in first, with the Slammin' Salmon claiming the title in the Rec. division.Although 10 local clubs played in the tournament some area club's weren't able to get in on the action because they event booked up so quickly.
"There was a lot of disappointment this year, as teams that participated in previous years couldn't make it because they didn't sign up on time," said Oreamuno, adding the deadline was a month before the event. "Everybody knew the deadlines."
Action got underway Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. with the men's teams playing off on the main fields, and the women's club using the auxiliary fields. In order to make sure there was enough room for all teams to play, women's teams were limited to seven-a-side rather than the traditional 11.
On a beautiful sunny day play stretched until 8 p.m. with teams returning to the pitch Sunday morning. All weekend long the fields were lined with spectators as residents watched what has turned into the largest, by number of participants, sporting event of the year in Squamish. It was also a good weekend for emergency workers, with only one competitor suffering serious injury - a broken nose. Last year eight players had to sent to hospital by ambulance.
"This is a great event for the community," said Oreamuno. "Restaurants fill up, hotels fill up. It's even bigger than the Test of Metal."
