St. Pat's Soccer Tournament Nears

OCEAN CITY- The 22^nd Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's annual St. Patrick's Soccer Tournament turns 20 this year with 150 teams and hundreds of players from all over the mid-Atlantic region expected to converge on the resort for the four-weekend event.

From modest beginnings 22 years ago when competition was held in just four divisions, the annual St. Patrick's Tournament has grown by leaps and bounds over the years and is now one of the largest events of its kind. The tournament attracts some of the best youth and adult soccer programs from all over the mid-Atlantic region.

The 2008 tournament will host over 150 teams competing in 12 divisions and will be held over four weekends beginning February 26. The tournament will be held on three consecutive weekends starting February 22-28, March 5-7, March 12-14 and March 19-21. Because the event has grown over the years and the field now exceeds the space the venue at Northside Park provides, a priority system was introduced this year.

For example, teams that played in the 2009 event and teams registered in the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's regular indoor soccer leagues were given priority. However, no team was given priority just because they participated in the prior tournament. For more information, contact the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department at (410) 250-0125.