All roads lead to Eric Homan Park at Cremorne on the October long weekend when Mackay Rangers Football Club hosts its annual 8-a-side soccer tournament.
With $6000 in prize money and titles up for grabs, football enthusiasts are in for a treat when the two-day Carnival kicks off on Saturday October 1.
The unique 8-a-side concept draws teams from far and wide including Sarina, Yeppoon, Rockhampton, Hall Creek, Emerald, Townsville, Innisfail, Cairns, Brisbane, Toowoomba and Sunshine Coast over the years and is an Open Men’s and Women’s competition for players aged 17 years and older.
Mercy College Mackay school teacher and Rangers stalwart Ashley Miles said the Carnival attracted 17 Men’s teams and eight Women’s sides last season which offered an $1800 winner’s purse for the triumphant Men’s side and $1000 for the victorious Women.
Runners up received $1000 (Men) and $600 (Women) with third and fourth placed teams collecting $500 (Men) and $300 (Women).
“An added highlight is the Penalty Shootout competition which is traditionally staged on the Saturday night when participating teams put forward a goalkeeper and striker to compete for $150 cash,” revealed Ashley.
Mackay Rangers boasts a proud 54-year history in the Football Queensland Whitsunday Coast Premier League Association where they have annexed numerous championship titles and produced a host of talent among the Men’s and Women’s grades.
Origins of the 8-a-side tournament can be traced back to 1983 when the Rangers staged an invitational Carnival against Moranbah to celebrate their home ground improvements.
This developed into the Taylors Hotel Invitational 1000 for the first four years of inception and was played as a senior 11-a-side team’s event.
Sponsorship was secured by Alcorns Bakery of Mackay for the next decade, then in the early 2000s the Carnival changed direction by adopting an 8-a-side format with long time sponsor RIMEX taking naming right sponsorship of the tournament.
The Carnival is traditionally run each year on the October long weekend with round fixtures and finals held over the Saturday and Sunday and is one of only a handful of senior competitive Football Gala events that are staged in Queensland.
For further details and registration enquiries contact Mackay Rangers FC 8-a-side coordinator Andrew Susani 0400 000 990.
By Chris Karas
Jubilant players celebrate after winning the Mackay Rangers FC 8-a-side Men’s title last season
Mackay Rangers FC annual 8-a-side Carnival attracts some quality Men’s and Women teams
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