World's Top Sand Soccer Players and Recreational Teams to Share Virginia Beach Spotlight

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The professional sand soccer team from Senegal in western Africa is considered a top pick to win the COOP U.S. Open, June 10 -12, taking place along the oceanfront at Virginia Beach.

Senegal won the main beach soccer championship for Africa in 2008 and finished third in 2009. Three players from the 2009 team are on the roster for the United States visit this week.

There are 10 pro teams in the competition, each made up of star players from across the country with various backgrounds of United States and international soccer experience. While the pro games get center stage at the beachfront stadium, there are another 1,000 other teams and nearly 10,000 players, ages 9 and up, who will be competing on the same beach throughout the weekend in the recreational competitions of the related COOP North American Sand Soccer Championships (NASSC).

Beach or sand soccer is said to be the fastest growing of all team sports in the world. It originated in Brazil, but has become increasingly popular in the United States since an introduction nearly 20 years ago. This is the 18th year for the Virginia Beach event, making it one of the oldest and largest sand soccer tournaments in the country. SwimWays Corp., the parent company of title sponsor COOP, is headquartered nearby.

"While it's great to be part of a such a huge festival like this in our own backyard, our bigger vision is about helping grow sand soccer to the potential we see for this sport," said Darrin Bryan, SwimWays brand manager. "We make products for fun, family-oriented outdoor lifestyles and we believe sand soccer aligns well with our marketing strategies and target demographics."

Pro sand soccer games are played on a rectangular grid that measures 30 yards x 40 yards, and consists of 5-on-5 play over three periods of 12 minutes each. Since soccer balls don't roll well on sand, the ball spends more time in the air, and shots at the goal occur throughout the game and from most anywhere on the field. Players are barefoot or wear approved protective footwear. Pro game rules are the same as those used at the Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) Beach Soccer World Cup and at the Beach Soccer World Wide Competitions.

"The COOP U.S. Open is considered the national championship for beach soccer here in the states, with an unbelievable lineup of talent and personalities this year," said Chris Antonopoulos, of the participating Florida Beach Soccer pro team and a former U.S. Nationals player. "I've been involved in this sport for nearly 20 years now and I'm totally amazed at how it has exploded in recent times. Anyone curious about why that is, just needs to attend the Virginia Beach games. And don't just watch the pros, the little guys really get it, too."

Because of the fast-paced action, the size of the field, the physical play, frequency of shots and the sand environment, sand soccer is a fun sport to watch for spectators of all ages. The COOP NASSC is expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors to the Virginia Beach event that has taken on a family festival atmosphere in recent years. A showcase exhibition pro match, called "USA versus The World," is scheduled for Saturday night under the lights in the beach stadium, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The COOP U.S. Open consolation game is scheduled for Sunday at noon. The championship game follows it at 1:30 p.m. Both games are in the beach stadium. Other matches occur throughout Saturday and Sunday, starting around 8:30 a.m. and continuing through daylight hours.

Attendance for all festival activities is free and open to the public, including the watching of the scheduled sand wrestling, volleyball and co-ed football games, and taking part in the many interactive booths, such as the COOP Fun Zone for youngsters.

Olympic gold medal soccer player Angela Hucles, and Bob Sokolinsky, considered to be Virginia Beach's "Founding Father of Soccer," will also be present for autograph opportunities.

Hucles, along with many of the events pro team players, will also lead a free youth sand soccer clinic for kids 13 and younger on Friday, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., along the oceanfront at 29th Street.

"Sand soccer is a healthy activity for people of all ages, and it isn't limited only to beach areas," Bryan added. "COOP is looking at several major inland markets right now that have the interest and capabilities to host a major sand soccer championship. I'm confident this is going to happen and soon."

For more information about the festival, visit www.sandsoccer.com. For information about COOP, visit www.coop-sports.com.

SOURCE COOP