Feb. 13, 2003 – Fun is the focus of a Fun 5-A-Side Soccer Tournament to be held Feb. 22 and 23 at Lionel Robert Stadium on St. Thomas.
The Saturday-Sunday tournament is being sponsored by the Peacemakers Youth Soccer Club and the government's Law Enforcement Planning Commission. Planners expect it to become an annual event.
Tournament organizer Tanya Ward Benjamin says soccer is something that brings people together from all races, classes and backgrounds — and is a way to keep youths out of trouble.
Parents must get teams organized to take part, Benjamin said. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. Wednesday. "I hope people don't do it by island time," she said, because the planners need a few days to finalize game scheduling and attend to other details. Registration is $1 per player.
5-A-Side tournament play differs from regular soccer games in that between three and five team members are on the field at a time, rather than the regulation 11. Team rosters can include up to eight children.
"Everybody is going to be touching the ball, and there's much faster play," Benjamin said, explaining that the field and the game are shortened from regular play, with halves of 10 or 15 minutes depending on players' ages.
Team categories are 6 and under, 7-10, 11-13, and 14-15 years of age. Teams may be all boys, all girls or co-ed. Team leaders must provide proof of members' ages by including a copy of their birth certificates or other documents at registration.
Members of a team are expected to wear similar jerseys, each with a distinctive number. If the team does not have such jerseys, the tournament organizers will provide matching practice vests. Each player must wear shin guards and socks. While soccer shoes with cleats are recommended, players may wear sneakers.
Peacemakers soccer accident insurance is available at $13 per child. The one-year policy covers this tournament and other Peacemakers activities. Peacemakers Youth Soccer Club members should already be covered, but Benjamin asked that they check with her to be sure the information on file is correct.
To make arrangements to register a team, call Benjamin at 690-4826. Team rosters and supporting documentation may be faxed to 774-2030 or delivered to Clifton Williams in the Physical Education Department at Charlotte Amalie High School. Williams can be reached by telephone at 776-1876 or 714-3061.

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