|
Rafael van der Vaart Streetsoccertournament
On Saturday 29 April 2006 (Queen’s Birthday) the parking lot near B.V.V. De Kennemers
in Beverwijk (Rafael’s old club, in which his brother and father still play an active
part) is the scene of the fourth consecutive Rafael van der Vaart Street Soccer
Tournament. In a few years’ time this tournament has evolved to a sizeable event
receiving a fair share of media attention. Last year the tournament was featured
both in the news for young people as well as on SBS 6, in addition to attention
from national, regional and local newspapers. There is, in fact, so much interest
in joining the tournament, that two preliminary tournaments are held in which teams
can qualify for the final tournament on 29 April 2006.
The street soccer tournament is aimed at 12 to 14-year old junior players and is
played on a (covered) pitch of 10 by 20 meters, surrounded by boarding. Play takes
place 3 against 3, whereby continuous substitution is allowed. The matches are supervised
by an instructor (not a referee) overseeing the course of the match.
The 2005 Christmas holidays saw the first preliminary in Lisse, in which over 40
teams competed. Flamingo’s/Majo (last year’s victors) proved too strong for D.W.S.
During spring holidays 2006 the second preliminary will be held in Tiel at RKTVC.
Because of the tournament’s development this edition will include more professional
teams. So far, confirmations have come in from HFC Haarlem, Stormvogels/Telstar,
FC Volendam, FC Omniworld and FC Utrecht, with a good chance of H.S.V. making the
journey to Beverwijk. The professional teams are represented by two teams each and
the entry will be complemented by the winners of the preliminaries and a few regional
amateur teams, naturally including B.V.V. De Kennemers.
On 29 April 2006 the contestants battled for the Rafael van der Vaart cup!
In addition to the street soccer tournament this was also Rafael van der Vaart’s
national fan day. Autographing and photo sessions were held for the fans, with original
Rafael fan items for sale.
This day also features numerous sidelines for both young and old.
Cases:
Straatvoetbaltoernooi
ARC Toernooi
Essel Champions Golf
|