Press Release - Local, Visiting Teams Warm up to Blizzard Blast Soccer Tournament
Local, Visiting Teams Warm up to Blizzard Blast Soccer Tournament
KISSIMMEE (CVB), FL (January 6, 2010) -- Avid soccer players and fans from as far away as New York and Ohio will kick up their heels in a toast to their youth in the annual 14th annual Blizzard Blast adult 6 on 6 soccer tournament at Kissimmee’s Austin Tindall Park this weekend (January 9-10).
Part of a Florida-based series, the Blizzard Blast has attracted 36 teams of adult amateur soccer players who want to enjoy the same weekend-long team soccer experience they had in their youth days, according to tournament director Ian Elston. The tournament is presented by Soccer Six Florida (SSF), whose aim with Blizzard Blast is to “bring local, regional, and out of state adult teams together at a single location to enjoy a weekend of camaraderie and competition.”
Games are played on a 40 yd x 60 yd pitch field with no off sides, a size 4 ball, and goals that are 6 feet by 12 feet. Elston said the format offers players an intense, fast paced game that features end-to-end action with plenty of scoring opportunities.
Budweiser is the corporate sponsor of the tournament. Local sponsors include the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Central Florida Sports Commission, and United World Soccer Shop.
“This tournament allows adults to relive their traveling soccer days as a youth,” Elston said. “It is an excellent way for adults to travel to new cities and experience some soccer, team bonding, local night life, and a few late night competitions for stories that will be remembered for years to come.”
Elston added that teams mainly play for bragging rights and for a weekend of fun. But, he added, they also fight for prizes in the form of trophies, t-shirts, pint glasses, and gift certificates off of future tournaments.
Returning to Austin Tindall for the 14th year, Blizzard Blast boasts teams or players from Ohio, Maryland, Georgia, New York, and Indiana and from other regions of Florida. Included in the field are several defending champions, including winning squads from Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.
Competition should be fierce, but fun, and is heightened by the venue choice according to Elston. “Austin Tindall is an amazing complex,” he declared. “The main difference between Austin Tindall and other high quality venues comes when you compare the staff that works there and the way it is set up. I’ve played all over the southeast United States and Austin Tindall mixes an adult and family friendly environment that makes it a pleasure to camp out on their lush fields all day with both your friends and kids.”
Tournament play begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at Austin-Tindall, located at 4100 Boggy Creek Road in Kissimmee.
EDITORS’ NOTE: Points accumulated during round robin play will determine which teams moves on to semi-finals and finals. Winning teams earn 6 points, up to 3 points for goals scored, games ending in a tie result in 3 points for each team; and teams can record an extra point by shutting out their opponent.
For more information on the tournament, contact: Ian Elston, 727-804-0648 (cell),ian@soccersixflorida.com