WILDWOOD — Over a 1,000 teams with nearly 10,000 players will be descending on the wide expanses of sand in this seashore resort for a record-breaking soccer tournament over the weekend.
According to a press release, the 6th annual Cape Express Beach Blast Soccer Tournament on June 28 – 29 will feature squads from seven states and from as far away as Scotland.
A crowd of over 25,000 spectators is expected to watch the teams play on 106 fields set up here around the Morey’s amusement piers between Schellenger and Poplar avenues and between Schellenger and Spencer avenues.
The tournament format is five versus five with a minimum of seven players and maximum 10 players per team. Games consist of three 12-minute periods and teams are required to substitute on the fly, meaning no time outs are given to change players.
A soft sand surface allows players to try diving headers, bicycle kicks and spectacular tricks more freely. The sand adds another dimension to the sport, putting aerobic strength, teamwork and individual skills to the test.
Having started in 2003 with 72 teams, by 2007 the two-day tournament had become the largest event in the 40-year history of Morey’s Piers, according to Morey’s Piers Executive Vice President Jack Morey.
“When you see great events like Beach Blast, the Kite Festival, volley ball and Frisbee competitions on the Wildwood beach, you see ‘Beach Olympics’ in our future,” Morey said.
Morey’s Piers, a classic seaside amusement park that’s been family owned and operated since 1969, was voted one of the best seaside amusement parks in the world in 2007.
Cape Express official Mike Granigan wanted to thank the Morey’s Organization for all the help they provide for the tournament as well as the city of Wildwood and all the Cape Express volunteers that work at the tournament.
According to the release, Cape Express Soccer Club, founded in 1982, strives to develop youth soccer in Cape May County.
The Club holds open soccer tryouts each June in three programs.
The youth program includes boys and girls teams ages U-8 through U-14. The varsity program includes boys and girls teams ages U-15 through U-18. The Caperoos program is a non-competitive fun time for Kindergarten and 1st grade age boys and girls.
Cape Express Soccer Club boy’s teams compete in the South Jersey Soccer League (SJSL) and Mid-Atlantic Premier Soccer League (MAPS). Girl’s teams compete in the South Jersey Girls Soccer League (SJGSL) and Jersey Area Girls Soccer (JAGS).
The club’s home fields are located at the Clarence Davies Sports Complex, which is the Middle Township Recreation Center in Cape May Court House
In addition to the Beach Blast tournament, Cape Express hosts the George Pratt Memorial Invitational Soccer Tournament on Columbus Day weekend on grass fields throughout the county.
For information on either event, visit www.capeexpress.com.
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com
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