Despite the unpredictable 麻豆社国产weather, organizers of the 2011 麻豆社国产Soccerfest were pleased with how the 31st annual tournament turned out.
Hundreds of soccer players hit the pitch as 69 teams participated in the event and 麻豆社国产Soccer Association (SSA) representative Lana Nielsen said it was another banner year for Soccerfest.
"The weather sucked but I think overall it was a very successful weekend," she said. "We still managed to fill the fields and lots of fans showed up to take part."
Nielsen said it was nice to see the success of several local teams, including the men's open final which saw Quest University take on local team Khalsa.
"It was nice to see the local teams doing so well this year," she said, noting that in addition to Quest and Khalsa, locals made up men's over-30 division winner Corona Excavation and men's over-40 second-place team Cliff Avenue Seniors. Women's teams with 麻豆社国产players also had success, with the Quest women's team finishing third in the women's open division.
SSA organizer Jose Oreamuno agreed that it was a great year for Soccerfest.
"There was a lot of positive about the weekend," he said. "We had no trouble or incidents on or off the field. Everyone seemed really happy and the feedback we got from the teams was amazing. It's really an unbelievable concept that works so well and it was great this year to see so many families come out and cheer from the sidelines."
"It's really a great atmosphere," Nielsen said. "We've had teams that have been coming back for years and it's nice as a volunteer to have them come up to us at the end of the weekend and thank us."
The tournament featured dozens of teams from the Lower Mainland and saw teams travel from as far away as Kamloops to take part. Nielsen said another successful Soccerfest weekend should be another step on the SSA's path to its eventual goal of bringing new turf fields to 麻豆社国产via the Legacy Fund.
"Soccerfest is a real money maker for us and it helps us work our way to bring the new fields to Squamish," she said. "The fields wouldn't only help out soccer, but there would be a walking track for seniors and it would help out football and lacrosse, too. We could probably expand the ladies' division with new fields, but it's really for the betterment of the whole town to get the fields."
The tournament also saw the Bobby Mahnger Outstanding Official award handed out for the second time. Teams vote on the award, which was named in memory of the legendary 麻豆社国产referee. This year the award went to Ellet Neil of Vancouver.
Oreamuno also announced that the summer soccer league will be returning. It begins in the middle of June and games will take place at Howe Sound Secondary field on Sundays. It's a mixed league, with teams having to play at least four women at all times. Last year there were four teams in the league and Oreamuno expects at least that many this year.
For more information on the summer league, contact Oreamuno by email at [email protected].
