Ƶappsoccer fans, put on that singing voice — ‘cause it’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Soccerfest will be kicking off April 14 to 15 this year, and the head organizer says he’s expecting several standout matches.
“They are really good teams and they get really serious,” said Jose Oreamuno.
In the women’s open, the Retros and the ƵappStrikers will put on a good show, he said.
“Let’s go watch and support them,” he said of the Strikers.
But it won’t just be the ladies bringing the fire. Oreamuno said there are several men’s teams that he thinks will make for some top-notch soccer.
On the 40-plus men’s division, Oreamuno said he’s looking forward to seeing Eastern Bloc and Romania duke it out.
For men aged 30 and over, Oreamuno said that LA 37 and Pronto will be the ones to look out for.
Finally, for the men’s open, America, the Shockers and the Bombastic are the ones to watch, he said.
“Shockers was on the final the last year,” Oreamuno said.
Great soccer, however, won’t be the only thing to look forward to.
“Manly go and see the atmosphere how much brennan park changes,” he said.
“It’s a family event we support and we try to comply with family rules... because we want the kids to watch the parents.”
Oreamuno also stressed that the locals who are willing to freely give their time are a huge component of the event.
“Amazing the volunteers that we have in our community,” he said.
There are also sometimes surprises.
The event has been known to attract some costumed revellers in the past. At one point, teams of devils and cops were giving impromptu performances at the Soccerfest beer garden.
Speaking of beer, Oreamnu also said he’s looking forward to a beer garden that will feature a lot of Lower Mainland brews.
Soccerfest has been an institution in Ƶappsince 1980.
Save for a year when it was cancelled, the tournament has been running every spring since its inception.
A non-profit event, the tournament has helped generate cash for sports facilities and high school scholarships.
Oreamuno also said that the ƵappSoccer Association opened up an account at the bottle depot. Anyone looking to get rid of old cans or bottles and help local soccer in the process and drop them off at the depot under the association’s account.
The cash will go to creating a new turf field and possibly a multi-purpose complex.
Soccerfest is scheduled to take on the soccer fields by the Brennan Park Recreation Centre on 1009 Centennial Way.
Details can be found at .