For its 32nd year, 麻豆社国产Soccerfest is taking over the Brennan Park fields on Saturday and Sunday (April 21 and 22) with a packed field of 72 teams hitting the pitch all weekend long.
It's the eighth year that the 麻豆社国产Soccer Association (SSA) has run the tournament and, just like in past years, the event sold out in quick order, attracting teams from all over the province.
"We're completely full again," said the SSA's Jose Oreamuno. "It took a few days but we have teams from Bowen Island, Kamloops and the Sunshine Coast coming to town."
The tournament is divided into men's and women's divisions with each side having an open division, an open/recreation division, as well as 30-plus and 40-plus divisions.
There was some talk of a 50-plus division, but according to the SSA's Tanya Babuin there was a lack of interest. The future is looking bright for soccer in 麻豆社国产after the turf field project was granted $500K from the B.C. provincial government in March. Babuin said the turf field could have an impact on Soccerfest.
"With one additional field, we could add six teams," she said.
Oreamuno said there are always teams on the outside looking in for the tournament and this could be a way to accommodate even more teams on the weekend.
"We want people to realize that our dream is closer," he said. "Our first step is now going to be a reality. Many people thought that there would never be a turf field here and now they are opening their eyes to this happening. It will happen but it's only a first step."
He added that it was through the efforts of Babuin that the project built so much momentum.
Soccerfest games are set to begin bright and early at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday and last well into the evening, with all four Brennan Park fields packed with games.
In addition to the soccer games, there will be a beer garden, a new menu at the concession and a new feature this year - a hardest shot booth. Organizers will have a radar gun set up and, for a small fee, users can test to see how hard their shot really is. All proceeds from the booth go toward the SSA.
The beer garden, open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days, will be the scene of 50/50 draws each day. There will also be an entire set of brand new jerseys raffled off and an autographed Whitecaps jersey. Saturday night will feature a special dinner at the Living Room with a soccer theme.
For more information on the event, visit www.squamishsoccerassociation.com.
