The Foley Sports Tourism (FST) calendar is chocked full of soccer this month with the 2018 Coastal Academy Cup returning November 16-18.
The two-day tournament is a club soccer event for both boys and girls teams, with competitors ranging in age from 9 to 16.
Like most of FST’s returning events, the Coastal Academy Cup is growing. Last year 95 teams competed. This year more than 150 teams are registered. Tournament Director, John Guidroz, said the uptick in numbers is partially due to the location.
“This tournament sets itself apart because of the professional event management, the amazing sports facility, the great options of local food, hotels, and there is always the beach,” Guidroz said.
The tournament director also said holding the event just before Thanksgiving gives teams a chance to cap off their fall season. But, for 2018, there was an additional incentive to get teams to register.
“This year we also partnered with OWA to allow the participants who come in Friday to explore downtown OWA and the Park at OWA,” said Guidroz.
The pairing of great on-field competition with off-field attractions is what FST is built on said Deputy Director Don Dukemineer.
“We are more than just great fields,” Dukemineer said. “FST wants to build an experience. We want teams to create memories, not just of the tournament, but the places they ate, the rides they rode at the Park at OWA, the shopping they did at Tanger Outlets. We want this to be a destination they come back to, whether they’re playing on our fields or not.”
The Coastal Academy Cup will start at 6 p.m. on November 16 and run until 4 p.m. on November 18. The public is invited to attend.
To learn more about the Coastal Academy Cup or any FST event check out our event page.
