The huge popularity of the sport of soccer is being displayed this weekend at the Summit Cup Soccer Tournament in Airdrie. 

 

The President of the Airdrie and District Soccer Association Christian Ricketts says the number of people coming to Airdrie for the tournament is huge.  "We have teams coming from all over Alberta primarily, we also have numerous clubs, not just teams, coming from British Columbia and Saskatchewan.  We'll have a total of 262 teams this year, that's 4,700 players from U-9 up to U-18 and it's about 16,000 plus people descending on Airdrie starting tonight."

Ricketts says, aside from the sporting aspect of the event, it's a huge economic boost to the city.  "We're talking lots of people, all the hotels here are booked up.  Restaurants are going to be busy.   It's going to be a fantastic weekend here in Airdrie."

The tournament changed it's name to Summit Cup a year ago and has grown by leaps and bounds since the early days according to Ricketts.  "Before we were just an Airdrie and district small tournament.   Four or five years ago we were sitting at 75 teams, now we've got 262, it's phenomenal."   The tournament features divisions for both boys and girls.  With 4,700 players involved, every available soccer field in the city will be teeming with action.

"We have 22 fields going on simultaneously in Airdrie, starting tonight at 6:00 pm all the way through Sunday at 7:00 pm.  All the medal games will be played all across Airdrie starting at 8:00 am on Sunday morning and wrap up by 6:00, 7:00 pm that evening, depending on shoot outs.  Friday night starts at 6:00 pm and goes to 9:00 pm and Saturday goes from 8:00 am until 9:00 pm."

Local food vendors will be out in the Monklands, East Lake and Kingsview areas throughout the weekend to accommodate hungry players, parents and fans.   

 

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