Four Mile hosts Xtreme Beach Hockey Fest
BEACH HOCKEY FESTIVAL
Beach Hockey is back at Four Mile with a one-day festival of fun, friendly, hockey with a sandy twist on Saturday 14 September.
Anyone and everyone are welcome to kick off the shoes enter a team and join in for a day of sandy shenanigans and all the beachy keen action.
No matter your age or ability the Beach Hockey Fest is the perfect place to dip your toe in the water, literally. The game doesn’t take itself too seriously, it’s pretty simple: No shoes. No hardball. No worries! Lots of sun, sand, and smiles with a super-friendly and supportive community.
Four Mile Beach will adorn two inflatable playing spaces, which is pitch perfect for the sport, where players of various ages- and skill levels will battle it out.
Spectators, family, and friends are encouraged to come along for the vibe, in addition to the tournament there will be music, food, and entertainment.
“Four Mile Beach is an amazing venue to hold the tournament and provides tourists and regional players the opportunity to visit our wonderful shire,” said Greg Mill, President of World Beach Hockey Ltd.
“We are a nation with a long sporting heritage and an amazing beach culture, so playing sport on the beach is a natural combination.”
“You can come down with your family, have a swim, have a picnic, enjoy the sunshine, and compete in our exciting beach hockey event,” said Mr Mill.
Four Mile Beach is the official birthplace of Australian Beach Hockey with the inaugural "Come and Try" day at Port Douglas Carnivale in 2020, in its fourth year here in the Douglas Shire and the iconic holiday destination of Port Douglas the town will be amped with festival feels all day long as this has all the ingredients to be bigger and better.
“Fun in the sun, music, food, and great beach hockey action,” promises Mr Mill. “It is also a great spectator sport, anyone come down to Four Mile Beach and check it out.”
“We are also offering cash prizes for the winning teams both in our Junior and adult competitions.”
A SPORT FOR EVERYONE
Although not as widely well-known as field hockey or the much colder ice hockey which is in every Canadian expat’s DNA who I feel should give this sandy version a red-hot go, Beach Hockey is played worldwide and continues to gain in popularity due to its ease of play, inclusiveness for all skills, and fast-paced action.
Beach Hockey is a short but thrilling game. Most of the time the soft ball is always on the move so you can score from all distances making Beach Hockey very spectacular to play and watch.
“Field hockey is a technical sport with specific rules, skills, and tactics run over a 70-minute game,” explains Mr Mill.
“Beach Hockey is easy to pick up for first-time players. It has some of the similar elements of field hockey but is adapted to the sand. The games are 15 minutes in length. It is also a safe sport with a ball that is similar to a mini soccer ball as distinct from a hard ball used in field hockey.”
With spectacular views on one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, dare I say the world, we are pretty lucky up here. If you experience the game only once, it will not be only once! The celebrated and unique atmosphere with the best crowds. Being a part of this tournament as a player or as a spectator is one of the most memorable experiences you will have.
Get yourself in the sand with beach hockey and soak up the oceanside celebrations.
LIFES A BEACH… LETS PLAY BALL
Here is a rundown to enter your team:
Register at: https://www.beachhockeyaustralia.com/event-details/beach-hockey-carnival-port-douglas
Time & Location:
Saturday 14 Sept 2024, 8:00 am
Four Mile Beach (Esplanade), Port Douglas
Beach hockey is a fast-paced sport played on the sand within an inflatable pitch. This beach hockey event caters for all levels of experience and requires little preparation with simple rules and equipment is provided.
Teams of up to ten may enrol with a maximum of five on the court and a minimum of two women. Field hockey teams, school groups, businesses and corporates are encouraged to put a team together with a unique uniform and name.
A round robin tournament will be played with a cash prize of $500 for the winning team and $200 for the runners up.
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