Jane Emerick
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Players and spectators alike are getting set for the biggest adult soccer tournament in B.C. to hit Brennan Park this weekend.
The Squamish Soccerfest involves a total of 70 men's and women's soccer teams in games starting 8:30 a.m. Saturday April 22, with the finals for all divisions taking place at 6 p.m. Sunday April 23. With so many teams in one weekend, organizers are promising an action packed event.
"It is a really fun atmosphere," said Dave Harrison, organizer and scheduler for the fest. "There will be a game happening on every field, with all eight fields being used. The tournament is maxed out in terms of the numbers of teams allowed to enter."
The Squamish Soccer Association, the umbrella organization for the Eagle Run Motor's Men's League and the Squamish Youth Soccer Association, puts on the event. Harrison, who has been involved with the tournament the 26 years it has taken place, along with the association, are inviting everyone in town to come and enjoy the volunteer-organized festivities.
"Come on down and enjoy some great soccer," he said. "It is really fun and people get very excited - sometimes too excited," he said.
All proceeds from the weekend go directly back into Squamish soccer.
"The money is put into an account to help out soccer in the community. Money for new turf fields where the gravel fields are now, and to help local teams if they want to go somewhere," said Harrison.
Apart from being a fun weekend, the tournament is also successful at bringing profits into the community, according to Harrison.
"Local pubs report their busiest time during the tournament," he said. "It brings money into the community. A lot of the hotels are full."
Teams have to pay to enter the tournament and after round-robin play, the top three teams in each division receive prize money. The top prices are in the men's and women's open categories where teams are awarded $1,100 for first place, $700 for second place, $400 for third place men's, and $350 for third place women's open division.
Men play 30-minute halves fielding a full team of ten, while women play seven a side with 20-minute halves and no off side.
"The no offside rule makes it very fast and exciting," said Harrison.
Last year the Sikh Temple won the men's open division from Vancouver, a team featuring several local players. The team is in the tournament again this year and will be challenging for the top spot. Approximately nine local teams are taking part in the event and extra referees are brought from Vancouver in order to officiate all the games.
A beer garden open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. will be featured at the field during the weekend with the strict policy of no alcohol outside of the designated area. A concession opened at 7:45 a.m. until 10 p.m. will be stocked with, burgers, veggie burgers, pizza, hot dogs, fruit, coffee, and lots more, will also be at Brennan Park.
On Saturday night a dance will also be hosted by the Grizzly Bar and Grill.
