Despite the absence of interstate teams, the annual Launceston Tournament will break new ground and grounds this year.
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For the first time, more than 100 teams will take part with 240 matches taking place at three venues across the city.
The Northern Tasmanian Junior Soccer Association's headquarters at Churchill Park will host most of the games with Launceston United's Birch Avenue and Riverside Olympic's Windsor Park also helping to share the load.
NTJSA operations manager Dale Rigby said the total of 104 teams, featuring about 1500 players, was a record for the event which has been a mainstay of Tasmanian soccer development for a couple of decades.
"Our record was about 84 teams a couple of years back so we're delighted to exceed that even though we have no mainland teams due to COVID," Rigby said.
"We've had fantastic support from the footballing community. It's great that local clubs are supporting it so well with all their teams and academies."
Launceston City, Riverside, Launceston United, Northern Rangers and Southern Raiders all have multiple teams involved with numerous clubs from the South and North-West also boosting numbers.
Having already hosted a full NTJSA season, Churchill Park remains in excellent condition, according to Rigby. "We've reconfigured it to fit everything in but it's holding up really well."
Kicking goals
- WHAT: Launceston Tournament
- WHERE: Churchill Park, Birch Avenue and Windsor Park
- WHEN: Friday to Sunday
- DETAILS: launcestontournament.torneopal.com