Indoor soccer league set to kick off Jan. 22

by Reginald Rogers
Paraglide

	photo by Reginald Rogers/Paraglide 98th Civil Affairs’ Delio Cervera attempts to defend against a 9th Psychological Operations Battalion player during Jan. 24, 2009’s indoor soccer match at the Ritz-Epps Physical Fitness Center. The 98th topped 9th POB 6-0 during the match.

The arrival of a new year at Fort Bragg also means the return of the post’s popular indoor soccer league. This year’s season opener is set for Jan. 22 and according to the sports office, it should feature plenty of action.

Last year, the league featured 18 teams that squared off every Friday evening and Saturday morning at the Ritz-Epps Physical Fitness Center. This season’s games are scheduled to be played at the same location.

Some of the more advanced teams featured sponsored uniforms worn by players who displayed more advanced soccer skills than the average Soldier. Then there were others that, while not possessing the skills of their counterparts, worked extra hard to remain just as competitive.

According to information released by the sports office, the 2010 Intramural Indoor Soccer Program will begin Jan. 22. Games will be played on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings, and possibly Sunday afternoons at Ritz-Epps PFC.
The league will continue through March 6.

According to Heather Adams of the sports office, this year, the league will feature both, men’s and women’s divisions. While women are not precluded from participating in the men’s division, men are not allowed to compete with the women.

In order to participate, teams must register by submitting an entry form to the Sports Office, Building 4-1567, Reilly Road (near the Mini-Mall). Online entry is available at www.fortbraggmwr.com, Sports and Recreation Intramural Sports. Entries may also be faxed to 396-1216.

The league is open to all military/government ID cardholders ages 18 and older. Participants will be required to present their ID card prior to participating.

According to sports officials, players must complete the season with the same team they began it with.

“Once a player starts with a team, he or she must remain with that team for the program’s duration,” Adams said. “A player who plays for more than one team will be deemed an ‘illegal’ player and any team other than the initial team for whom the player played that uses such a player will be eliminated from further competition.”

She added that once a player has been deemed “illegal,” he or she will be prohibited from further participation.

This year’s league play will feature a limited number of pretournament games, which will be determined based on number of entries. Those pretournament games will be followed by a double-elimination tournament. All teams that complete the pretournament schedule, will be included in the double-elimination tournament. The tournament bracket will be paired using a blind draw. However, teams with the best records during the pretournament games will be given bye opportunities should there be any.

Trophies will be awarded at the end of the season.

“The sports office will provide first and second place awards for both the men’s and women’s tournaments,” Adams added.

For more information on the indoor soccer league, call the sports office at 396-1217.