Tasmania’s largest junior soccer tournament is about to get bigger.
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Now in its 27th consecutive year, the Launceston Tournament has attracted a record 83 teams, presenting organisers with a logistical nightmare.
But Northern Tasmanian Junior Soccer Association president Dale Rigby said it is a headache he is happy to have.
“The numbers are unheard of,” he said.
“Our previous record was 65 teams so this is an incredible number but it’s a great problem to have.”
Rigby said the tournament has become a regular and popular fixture on many inter-state clubs’ calendars.
“We’ve got 12 mainland teams coming over including a group of 107 people from one club alone that is fielding three teams.
“Sides like Ashburton in Victoria and the Far South Coast of NSW keep coming back to support it every year and it’s great to have that sort of support.
“We have a really good diversity of mainland teams from under-10s through to the under-16 girls from Hinchinbrook.”
Southern and North-West Tasmanian teams are also supporting the tournament with most state league plus Northern and Southern Championship sides sending teams as well as regional representative sides of various ages.
The total number of players involved is expected to reach 1000 while the support staff and parents that come with them provide a healthy and timely economic input into the city.
Fresh from last week’s state government and city council announcement that it is to receive a $1 million investment of funds to improve car parking, Churchill Park will be the main host venue.
However, Launceston United’s Birch Avenue home will again be used while the NTJSA may yet have to contact other Launceston clubs to ask for hosting assistance.
The annual event will be held from Friday, September 22, to Sunday, September 24, and is aimed at boys, girls and mixed teams from under-nines to under-16s.
The NTJSA’s regular season is due to wrap up in the next week with McDonald’s Cup finals scheduled for next weekend.
Launnie tourney
- WHAT: Launceston Mitsubishi Tournament, Tasmania’s largest youth soccer tournament for boys, girls and mixed teams from under-nines to under-16s
- WHERE: Churchill Park, Birch Avenue, Launceston
- WHEN: Friday, September 22, to Sunday, September 24
- DETAILS: https://ntjsa.org.au/tournament