Beach soccer comp hots up

Jun 20 2007 by Birkenhead News

WIRRAL will soon play host to the largest beach soccer competition in the UK.

An expected maximum of 320 teams will be involved in the two day tournament on the beach next to Perch Rock Fort at New Brighton on June 23-24.

Organised by the Birkenhead and Wirral Association Football League, the event is now in its ninth year and will include both boys and girls teams from ages eigth to 16 years, as well as both men and women’s open age competitors.

Scheduled to take place during the hours when the River Mersey is at its lowest level, pitches will be marked in the sand on both days.

The Saturday is set aside for the boys and men’s open age teams, while the following day will see the girl’s and open age women.

Winning teams will be presented with their trophies at the end of each day, late in the afternoon.

Alan Kenny, fixtures secretary and one of the organisers, said: “We have made provision for 156 teams to enter on each of the two days.

“The event has grown steadily over the past eight years and the league decided to accept entries from girls, boys and women’s teams as a result of the large number of enquiries/requests received both during and after the competition last year.”

Joe Rooney, league secretary, said: “The contest was originally inspired by a Brazilian soccer competition also held on the Wirral some years ago.

“Although that event was actually held on sand specially transported for the occasion to one of the grassed areas just behind the promenade.

“We felt that to be true to the spirit of the original idea, we should play on the beach itself. Everyone who has participated or watched the competition over the past five years has enjoyed themselves immensely.

“As a local league, we are very happy to be able to assist in the continuing regeneration of the area.

“I suspect some people are also interested to see if we can complete all the games before the tide returns and reclaims the beach.”

Entries are being accepted for the event throughout the country. The cost is £20 per team and £30 for teams that are not affiliated to a County FA. There can be up to eight players per team. Further details and application forms can be obtained from the event organiser Joe Rooney on 606-9935.