The 30th annual 麻豆社国产soccer extravaganza known as Soccerfest is shaping up to be a stellar two-day tournament on April 17 and 18 with a full roster of 72 teams already signed up.
To celebrate its third decade, the 麻豆社国产Soccer Association (SSA) is honouring longtime local soccer referee Bobby Mahnger, who succumbed to cancer in January 2010, by creating an award in his name.
"It's going to be a special time for us in that respect," said event co-ordinator Jose Oreamuno.
Since the tournament is always increasing in popularity, the SSA would like to include more teams, but there just aren't enough fields to support it, said Oreamuno.
"I bet you we can increase the numbers, easily to 80 teams," he said.
"We do not have fields in the community to fill up. We never like the idea to have satellite fields - meaning other fields - other than Brennan Park."
In an effort to accommodate more teams, Oreamuno said the association might, in coming years, start the tournament on a Friday night rather than a Saturday morning allowing for local teams to play few games on Friday evening.
But the ultimate goal is to create a few more all weather, multi-purpose fields at the Brennan Park site. The proposed fields, according to Oreamuno, could be used to host tournaments and exhibition games in lacrosse, football and track and field as well as soccer games.
"The potential is there."
This year, Soccerfest will continue on multiple Brennan Park fields starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday April 17. Oreamuno estimates at least eight teams are comprised of 麻豆社国产players.
Each men's team is guaranteed to lay at least three games and each women's team is guaranteed to play at least five. Cash prizes range from $200 up to $1,250 for a first place finish in the men's open classification.
Last year the event raised between $12,000 and $14,000 for the SSA, and Oreamuno said he's hopeful the same amount can be generated this year.
"The weather is the main thing. If it's a hot weekend, the beer garden will make money and if the beer garden makes money the group makes money."
Although registration for the tournament might be full, the SSA is always looking for more volunteers to help run the event.
Anyone interested in helping set up, take down or run the beer garden and concession can contact Oreamuno through the association website at squamishsoccerassociation.com.
"It's a nice group," Oreamuno said. "Everything is for fun, nothing is serious."
