THE WORLD Cup is coming to Strachur this year with one major difference. Filthy footwork and swampy skills will replace professional play, as thousands of sports fanatics descend on Argyll to take part in the Swamp Soccer New World Championships.
Taking place from June 20 – 22, and set to attract enthusiasts from as far afield as Australia, Finland and Germany, this is the first time the Swamp Soccer World Championships have been held in Scotland.
A worldwide extreme sport phenomenon, the inaugural Swamp Soccer UK tournament took place in 2006, when a host of international teams descended on Dunoon to enjoy an action packed weekend. Originating from the swamps of Finland, annual Swamp Soccer tournaments are also held across the northern hemisphere including countries such as Iceland, Sweden, Holland and Russia.
The phenomenon of Swamp Soccer has gone from strength to strength as event organiser Stewart Miller explains: ‘Up to 100 teams are anticipated to take part in the global championships of the extreme, and extremely dirty sport. As a nation we have never hosted a World Cup, and we missed out on the European Championships this year. But the Swamp Soccer New World Championships promises the same sporting spirit, competitive instincts and filthy tackles – but with the addition of masses of sludge, muck and swampy mess.’
No training is required for Swamp Soccer, all that is needed is a sense of fun and a fearless spirit when it comes to playing dirty. The rules are similar to football with the exception that there is no offside rule, and the pitch is made entirely of mud!
Open to everyone over the age of 17 years old, teams can be all-male, all-female or mixed. Teams should consist of six players but substitutes are limitless and each game lasts 24 minutes. Players in the same team must wear the same colours but fancy dress is strongly encouraged! Weekend team registration is £100 and includes a host of benefits including free daytime and evening entertainment.
The venue provides a choice of accommodation from tents to wigwams with excellent facilities available on site including food and refreshments and free daily entertainment in the form of live music and in the evening, traditional ceilidhs.
To enter a team and for further information visit www.swampsoccer.co.uk, email info@swampsoccer.co.uk or call 01369 830000.
