Round two of the 7th Annual Cape Express Beach Blast soccer tournament runs August 29 and 30 on the beach adjacent to sponsor Morey’s Piers.
The June event attracted almost 960 teams for a series of round robin games, a turnout large enough to warrant the second Beach Blast for the first time.
“We had to turn teams away,” says Mike Granigan, President of Cape Express Soccer Club. Granigan expects 156 teams with 1,500 players.
“We think we’ll attract more than 3,000 visitors,” he says.
The weekend includes not only the games, but for the youth teams, admission to Morey’s Piers’ three amusement parks and two waterparks, Raging Waters and Ocean Oasis; camping on the beach; and a Saturday night picnic at Rendezvous Beach Picnic Pavilion at Mariner’s Landing Pier.
Each youth team receives 10 wristbands for entry to all three amusement piers and both beachfront waterparks.
The games, hosted by the Cape Express Soccer Club, feature boys and girls divisions from under 8 to under 18; men, women and co-ed open teams.
Each game, played on 30 by 40 yard fields, consists of three 12 minute periods, with contests starting on the hour. Each team will play 3 games (weather and other unforeseen conditions permitting) with a 4th possible for those advancing to the finals.
“Competitors play in their bare feet. The balls are lighter, softer and easier on the bare feet,” Granigan says.
“We are thrilled that the demand for this soccer tournament is so strong we have to hold it twice this summer,” says Jack Morey.
Approximately half the teams come from New Jersey and half from Eastern Pennsylvania.
For questions regarding the tournament, visit www.CapeExpress.com or by e-mail, beachblastsoccer@comcast.net.
