Tasmania's largest ever soccer tournament has made a lightning start.
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A few flashes from the heavens were the only obstacles in the way of an army of organisers who ensured the 29th edition of the popular Launceston Tournament still completed a successful second day.
The Northern Tasmanian Junior Soccer Association's Churchill Park headquarters was at full capacity but coped admirably, with some assistance from Launceston Church Grammar School's Faulkner Park, according to NTJSA committee member Dale Rigby.
"We fell behind to some lightning when we had to stop playing so were running half an hour behind for a while but we eventually caught that up," he said.
"We're extremely happy how it's going. Apart from the inclement weather it's gone really well and it is a winter sport after all and most people had their umbrellas."
An entry of 80 teams totalling about 1200 players aged from under-nine to under-16 are taking part in the tournament which began on Friday and wraps up on Sunday.
"We were definitely up to capacity but seemed to cope okay and I think most of the Northern teams are doing pretty well too."
The tournament has received support from local clubs Launceston United, Launceston City, Riverside, Northern Rangers and Southern Raiders plus strong representation from across the South and North-West.
Five of the six teams travelling from New South Wales and Victoria to take part are girls' teams which Rigby said is a rapidly growing area for the game.
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