Hawai'i becoming hot spot for summer soccer
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Jack Sullivan has been around soccer in Hawai'i long enough to see its evolution.
Advertiser library photo
It started 30 years ago with "only 225 boys practicing at a correctional facility field," said Sullivan, and expanded to more than 27,000 boys and girls and men and women.
Derek Leong, of the Kane'ohe Knights, far right, launches a shot as Hilo Bronco goalkeeper Brent Minato puts up his hands to try to block it. The teams participated in an AYSO tournament last year.
As the sport has grown, so have opportunities for players to improve their game and exhibit their talent.
Hawai'i has since become a hotbed of soccer, featuring at least 11 tournaments this summer, including one with a team from Taiwan.
All ages, all divisions
There are tournaments available for players of all ages, with divisions ranging from under-8 to over-55, and hosted on O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island.
And with major soccer tournaments being hosted by Hawai'i in the past few years, including the Snickers U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championships and the U.S. National Veteran's Cup last year, and the AYSO National Games in 2002, Hawai'i is building a reputation as a destination for soccer families.
Hawai'i Soccer Association President Donna Fouts said she believes one of the main reasons for the growth of soccer in Hawai'i was the building of the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex, which opened in 2000.
"I think all of us locally feel like it's an honor to show off Hawai'i and the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex," Fouts said. "No other fields even compare to the quality of it."
Fouts got involved in soccer when her son Josh, now an assistant soccer coach at the University of Hawai'i, began playing AYSO at age 5.
"We're able to support it now in terms of the facility, we are at a major intersection of growth," Fouts said. "We all wanted to host tournaments, but we never had the space. Now we have the luxury of beautiful fields, enough goals."
Fouts starting playing soccer herself about 17 years ago and will be playing in the U.S. National Veteran's Cup, which begins Wednesday.
Veteran's Cup returns
It is the second year in a row Hawai'i will play host to the Veteran's Cup.
"No team has ever played for a National Cup in Hawai'i before last year," said Sullivan, the publicity director for the Veteran's Cup and vice president of HSA.
"We've been lucky to have it two years in a row," Sullivan said. "There are (United States Soccer Federation) guys coming in from all over the country and they have said (the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex) is one of the top five in the nation."
Fouts said the number of tournaments hosted by Hawai'i in recent history is helping to raise the level of awareness by Mainland college soccer coaches about the improvements of Hawai'i soccer.
She pointed to the increasing number of players from Hawai'i who are receiving college scholarships, something that was not that common before.
"The complex has allowed them to participate in tournaments and brought people here," she said. "I think we will only see bigger and better things at the youth level, and adults, too."
FUN EVENTS AS WELL
For less serious soccer players, there are events planned in conjunction with the tournaments designed to increase the level of fun.
The Volcano International tournament on the Big Island in July includes a soccerfest, skills challenge, and dance. The AYSO Rainbow Tournament used to include a program where teams from Hawai'i hosted their Mainland counterparts.
The tournaments provide fun and games not only for the participants, but also for soccer fans who want to enjoy a game or two.
The Hawai'i International Cup, hosted by the HSC Bulls, includes teams from California, Delaware, Wisconsin, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Canada. It will also feature teams from Hawai'i that will be three weeks removed from the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championships in Spokane, Wash., which begin next week.
If hopeful fans are unable to make that tournament, there are other opportunities to catch a soccer tournament. Starting with next week's Veteran's Cup, and ending with the Aloha International Cup in late July, there will be a soccer tournament being held in Hawai'i on every weekend.
Although deadlines have passed for some of the tournaments, there are others still accepting teams. And the more opportunities, the better, according to Fouts.
"Kids better appreciate it now, because when you're 70, there are going to be leagues for you," Fouts said.
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
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USSF U.S. National Veterans Cup
WHEN: June 23 to 27
WHO: Men and Women, ages 30 and older
WHERE: Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex
INFORMATION: For the second year in a row, Hawai'i is playing host to the Veterans Cup, with 58 teams from 17 states.
CONTACT: Jack Sullivan at 531-0605.
Maui Shriners No Ka Oi Girls Tournament
WHEN: June 23 to 26
WHO: Girls, Under-10 through Under-19 divisions
WHERE: At Keopuolani Soccer Field, Kahului and Eddie Tam Field, Makawao
INFORMATION: All Maui teams, except for one U-10 team from O'ahu. It is in its third year, and its first year sanctioned by HYSA. "We wanted to promote the game of soccer for the girls on Maui, put our women on stage," tournament director Tony Medeiros said.
CONTACT: Tony Medeiros at (808) 572-0047 or (808) 205-2344.
AYSO Rainbow Tournament
WHEN: June 30 to July 4. Game start times run from 2 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
WHO: Boys and Girls, Under-10 through Under-19 divisions
WHERE: Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex
INFORMATION: In its 25th year, the Rainbow Tournament was "started as a cultural exchange program, a chance to play Mainland teams that were better than the Hawai'i teams," tournament director Conrad Shiroma said. "Since then it has developed and the teams here are very competitive, if not more competitive than the teams from the Mainland." Featuring 98 teams, including 20 from California.
CONTACT: http://www.lanimoo.com/ayso_soccer/talk.html.
WISA Tournament
WHEN: July 9 to 11
WHO: Women's Open, over 30, and over 45 divisions
WHERE: Kapi'olani Park
INFORMATION: 26th annual tournament, about 40 teams, including one from Canada.
CONTACT: Goeaslinda@aol.com.
Kaua'i Cup
WHEN: July 9 to 11
WHO: Boys and Girls, Under-10 through Under-19 divisions
WHERE: At Island School, Puhi, Lihu'e
INFORMATION: "It is a small tournament by tournament standards but it provides the invaluable opportunity for Kaua'i players to challenge themselves against outside talent," said Tournament Director Sean Magoun in an e-mail. Fifteen teams entered, still accepting local late entries.
CONTACT: Sean Magoun e-mail: sean@ischool.org
Volcano International
WHEN: July 14 to 18
WHO: Boys and Girls, Under-10 through Under-19 divisions
WHERE: Bayfront Soccer Park, Hilo
INFORMATION: In its 12th year, it is including six teams from California, and 20 from O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i. Open Invitational AYSO tournament, but accepts any teams associated with the USSF.
Deadline is June 25. Includes a soccerfest, skills challenge, and dance.
CONTACT: Troy Keolanui at (808) 933-2523.
Hawai'i International Cup
WHEN: July 15 to 18
WHO: Boys and Girls, Under-8 through Under-19 divisions
WHERE: Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex
INFORMATION: In its 11th year, first year hosted by the HSC Bulls. Expecting 60 to 75 teams, including teams from California Delaware, Wisconsin, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Canada.
CONTACT: Michelle Moore, Tournament Coordinator, at 561-4663, e-mail: bulls-hic@hawaii.rr.com or Web site: hictournament.com.
The Hawai'i Cup
WHEN: July 21 to 24
WHO: Boys and Girls, Under-10 through Under-19 divisions
WHERE: At Keopuolani Park, Kahului
INFORMATION: In its 19th year, the tournament, it features about 40 teams, including teams from California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada.
CONTACT: Mike Victorino at (808) 242-6006 or www.hawaiicup.com.
Big Island Cup
WHEN: July 22 to 25
WHO: Boys and Girls, Under-10 through Under-19 divisions
WHERE: Hawai'i Preparatory Academy, Kamuela
INFORMATION: In its 15th year, there are over 20 teams registered, including teams from California, Arizona and Nevada. The Big Island Cup is still accepting entries.
CONTACT: E-mail: scott.balsimo@verizon.net or Web site: www.bigislandcup.com.
Hawai'i Tropical Sports Festival
WHEN: July 24 to 25
WHO: Boys and Girls, Under-11 through Under-17 divisions
WHERE: Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex
INFORMATION: 32 teams, including Mainland teams, three open slots available (Girls U-13, U-15, U-17).
CONTACT: misojuniors@hotmail.com.
TOURNAMENTS ON TAP
Aloha International Cup
WHEN: July 28 to Aug. 1
WHO: Boys and Girls, Under-10 through Under-19 divisions
WHERE: Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Complex
INFORMATION: Includes seven teams from California and one from Taiwan. Entry deadline is July 1.
CONTACT: Scott Keopuhiwa, e-mail: srk@hawaii.rr.com or alohainternationalcup.com.
