Soccer tournament

PlaceMakers' much loved annual soccer tournament is this weekend at the Onetangi Sports Park.

The weekend of men's football is the major fundraiser for the island's football club.

Funds raised help keep the costs of joining the Waiheke Soccer Club and playing soccer to a minimum so as many children as possible can enjoy the game and benefit from playing a team sport, says the club's Steve Wooderson.

The tournament which has been played on Waiheke for 23 years consists of two back to back tournaments:

1.  Saturday, September 19: Men's Open Draw, comprising 12 teams including the Waiheke United AFC team entry "PlaceMakers Waiheke".

2.  Sunday, September 20: Men's Over 30s Grade, comprising of 12 teams also including a Waiheke United AFC team entry.

Playing begins at 9.30am and includes a round robin competition with two groups of six teams. The winner and runner up of each group proceed through to a semi final and final, where the victor will take away the cash prizes, the highly sought after trophies and bragging rights for the year. The semi finals are played at approx 3.15pm with the conclusion of plate and finals being played at around 4pm.

Teams that have entered the competition come from the wider Auckland region with many making it a special weekend as a wrap up to the regular soccer season.

"The club would like to thank Lee and Alison Stickland of Placemakers for their generosity. They both volunteer a large amount of their time to the club (participation on the clubs committee, and with assisting with transporting visiting teams to the park) during regular season," says Mr Wooderson. "And if you are wanting free sporting entertainment, drop down to the Onetangi Sports Park to witness a day of passionate and very entertaining soccer. Naturally, food and bevies will be available for purchase."

- Waiheke Marketplace