Soccer sizzles on the sand

On August 13-15, 2004, Soccer will go to the beach when the 8th annual Soccercity/Umbro Beach Soccer Blast hits Spanish Banks Beach East in Vancouver. The Beach Blast has scored the perfect hatrick, combining sun, sand and surf with the world’s most played game, soccer. With the waves crashing in the background, the city cresting over the tournament’s eight beach pitches, and a wide, soft sand beach, the Beach Blast boasts one of the best soccer tournament sites in the world.

Teams of 7-10 players aged 8 years through adult can registration until July 30, 2004. To register call 604-818-2845 or visit:

www.mysportstournament.com/beachblast

Teams will play a minimum of three and a maximum of five, half hour matches on soft sand. The top three teams in each of 15 divisions of play will win Umbro merchandise including bags, hats and balls and restaurant gift certificates from Subway and Anducci’s Pasta Bar.

The Blast has sold out ever year since its inception in 1997 and is Canada’s largest and North America’s second largest beach soccer event. This year, more than 130 teams are expected to descend on Spanish Banks to play in more than 250 matches over the three days of the tournament. Youth teams aged 8 through 13 will play round robin games on Friday, August 13th, while competitors aged 14 and older will participate in matches on August 14th and 175th.

Beach Soccer is a game gaining in popularity around the world. A Pro Beach Soccer Tour was started in 1996 and is promoting 17 worldwide stops in 2004. The Pro Beach Soccer Tour has received major international media coverage including game broadcasts on NBC and ABC. A Pro Beach Soccer video game was released in 2003.

The beach game is thrilling to watch and to play. Beach Soccer is played 5 on 5 on soft sand – this unpredictable but forgiving surface adds a new dimension to the game, tests players’ aerobic strength and encourages high-flying tricks and daredevil manoeuvres. Beach soccer is fast paced with an average of a shot on goal every 30 seconds and 11 goals scored per game. Beach players do not wear shoes or shinpads and there are no offsides. The beach pitch is about 1/3 the size of a regular grass field, nets are 6’ x 12’ and a regular leather soccer ball is used.

The Soccercity/Umbro Beach Soccer Blast tournament site is located at North West Marine Drive and Tolmie Street in Vancouver. Spectators are encouraged to check out the action. Entry is free! Games are played Friday, August 13 from 12 pm to 6 pm and on August 14th and 15th between 9 am and 5:00 pm.

Additional information is available at www.mysportstournament.com/beachblast.

Proceeds from the 2004 Soccercity/Umbro Beach Soccer Blast will benefit the Kerrisdale Soccer Association and the Vancouver Area Soccer Referees Association.