Park set to host junior soccer tourney

All eyes in the world of junior soccer will be firmly focused on the Park Sportsground in Masterton this weekend.
And the number of eyes will actually be in the thousands, if events pan out as planned.
The Douglas Villa Junior Football Club is hosting a tournament totalling 1078 junior players from 98 teams encompassing 7th through to the 13th grade - 7-year-olds through to 13-year-olds.
Teams are a mix of boys and girls and will descend on Masterton from Wellington, Wanganui, Horowhenua and Palmerston North, as well as from around Wairarapa.
Play will start at 9am on both Saturday and Sunday. Each day ends with a prizegiving at 5.15pm.
Event co-ordinator Dave Wright is really looking forward to events unfolding.
"In terms of participants, this is possibly the biggest junior sports event ever in Wairarapa," Wright said.
"In fact, we ended up having to turn more teams away. We just couldn't cater for any more with the present format.
"Eighty-four teams last year, 98 teams this year. Wow!" Wright said. "We might look at the idea of expanding this to a two-weekend event next year. But I'm not holding my breath it will be a happening thing.
"Things can get a bit unwieldy."
Games in all grades will comprise two halves of 12 minutes each, with a three-minute halftime break.
There is another break of three minutes at the end of each game before the next game starts.
"Each participating team is guaranteed a minimum of four games, more than that for successful teams," Wright said.
While Wright is the tournament's co-ordinator, he was quick to acknowledge it was a whole club effort.
"This just wouldn't be possible without everyone's assistance.
"The whole thing would grind to a halt without officials, referees and helpers."
"If I could guarantee the weather, this is going to be huge," he said, crossing as his fingers.