There’s good news for teams coming to compete in the Big Bear soccer tournament this year — five-time defending champions Williams Lake are not returning.
The better news for Revelstoke fans is that a few players from that team will be competing for Revelstoke FC in the 22nd edition of the tournament this weekend.
Seventeen teams are signed up to take part in the tournament — 11 men’s and six women’s.
The action kicks off with Duffy’s of Kamloops taking on the Calgary Imperials in women’s action on Friday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m. in Queen Elizabeth Park.
On Saturday, the tournament really gets going, with games going constantly in Queen Elizabeth Park and Centennial Park. Revelstoke FC is tentatively scheduled to play at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
With Williams Lake absent, the men’s field will see a new winner crowned. Tournament organizer Serge Spataro said Canmore, Banff, Vic Van Nelson and Vernon will be top competitors on the men’s side. On the women’s side, he said to watch out for Williams Lake, Nelson and Vernon.
“Although down in numbers, this year’s Big Bear Classic has as tough competition as any of the years before,” Spataro said. “We hope the locals come to support our team both on the field and in the beer gardens.”
Revelstoke FC will be competing in the men’s division; there was no local women’s team entered as of press time.
The beer garden will be open in QEP from 5–11 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. FIFA World Cup, NHL Stanley Cup finals, and UFC 174 will be shown on TV’s in the beer garden in case you’re worried about missing the games.
Visit the Revelstoke Big Bear tournament page for more information.