Summer soccer competition buoyed by huge numbers

THE Surfside summer soccer junior competition has been a raging success, with numbers booming well beyond expectation.

Surfside Waves Soccer Club president Mike Sutton said he had initially hoped for 50-60 children to sign-up, so to more than triple that number was outstanding and showed the desire that exists for a summer competition.

The interest has been so great, the club is unable to take anymore registrations.

“We really wanted to do a summer comp, we’ve never done one before,” Sutton said.

“We thought we might get 50 or 60 kids in this group… we’ve had over 150-200.

“People are crying out for their kids to get outside again and an opportunity to do so.

“We want to give them this great outlet for football over summer.”

Sutton said it was all about creating a positive community environment and for kids to have an avenue to return to sport with this year more than ever there being a need to get out and socialise and get active.

“It’s all about promotion of a healthy mind and a healthy body, full inclusion in the community.

“That intimate connection with the community is so important.”

Sutton praised the work of junior co-ordinator Steve Grindell and coaching and development coordinator Craig Wright, who have done a power of work in getting the competition up and running.

The competition will run from November 2 and will take place through until January 28 and is the first summer competition the club has ever offered.

To be played at Shell Road Reserve in Ocean Grove, the competition offers training for under-7s along with more competitive formats for under-9, 11 and 12 boys and girls from Monday-Thursday.

Putting on such a competition will also provide an opportunity for coaches and referees to get back to doing what they enjoy, as well as earning some money from it after a difficult year.

For more information, phone Steve Grindell on 0423 557 149 or [email protected].