HUNTSVILLE – Break out the sunglasses, protective lotion, lawn chairs, beach blankets and canopies but forget maps and a pre-trip top off the fuel tank.
When the calendar flips to June, the time will have arrived to load up and head to John Hunt Park. There, the beach experience comes inland with fast-growing sand soccer.
The two-day Inland Sand Beach Soccer Tournament Tour arrives in the Rocket City on June 1 for the Surf Huntsville tournament. There are divisions based on age, gender (there’s a co-ed division) and ability. Registration is open at www.inlandsandsoccer.com.
“With a great facility like the beach volleyball courts at John Hunt Park, we are always looking for events to fill the venue,” said Joel Lamp, Sports Development Manager for the Huntsville-Madison County Conventions and Visitors Bureau. “Having Inland Sand Soccer bring beach soccer to Huntsville is a great activation of the venue and brings a new addition to our soccer culture that is fun to watch as well.”
Unique to the Tennessee Valley, inland sand soccer tournaments have been around for at least three decades. The Sand Duels in Ocean City, Md., is holding its 30th annual edition in 2024.
With the motto “We bring the beach to you,” Inland Sand tournaments are produced by Sand Sports and powered by Enviroevents.org. Organizers bill the event as “the only beach soccer tournament targeting non-traditional, non-coastal locations in the United States.”
The tournament is 4 v 4 with goalkeepers for players ages 8 though 80. Divisions are based on age, gender, and ability. Rosters will be limited to eight players with four, including the goalkeeper, on the field at one time. Entry fee is $450 for youth through 30-and-up; an open division that competes for cash prizes is $600. Teams are guaranteed three games, unless the schedule is reduced or shortened, due to rain or unforeseen circumstances. To register, visit www.inlandsandsoccer.com.
The tournament is free to the public.
There are sponsorships available. For information, email [email protected].
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