The year may be winding down but players across the USA Volleyball Gulf Coast Regions are gearing up for another season and they are going to kick things off with the Friendship Tournament December 12 -13 at the Foley Event Center.
Shawn Weaver, tournament director, said they have been holding the Friendship Tournament for four years as a way to help teams get loose.
“This is a free tournament of just scrimmages to get the athletes playing at the beginning of the season,” Weaver said. “This year it’s held in tandem with the Gulf Coast Winter College Recruiting Showcase which runs 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, December 12. Athletes will participate in drills to highlight their skill level, position, and grade level for college coaches who are recruiting.”
Weaver is expecting about 100 teams to participate this year, ranging in age from 12 to 18. The teams will be competing in waves in order to have fewer people in the building at once, making social distancing easier.
Foley Sports Tourism Event Operations Manager Angela Sullivan said everyone is ready to have volleyball back in the building.
“Last spring the COVID-19 pandemic caused the postponement and cancellation of a number of the volleyball events,” Sullivan said. “It’s exciting to have everyone back and competing in a safe environment. We learned a lot in 2020 but we’re ready for a better 2021.”
For more information on the Friendship Tournament or any FST event visit our events page.