ROCKINGHAM — Before the clouds came out Saturday afternoon, temperatures were in the high 90s and both Keith and Colleen Parsons watched as their annual soccer event turned into the biggest one yet.
The third annual Hwy 55 3v3 Soccer Challenge, which is hosted by the Richmond Rush FC club, brought a crowd out to watch some weekend soccer at Browder Park. There were 12 teams across two divisions that competed on shortened fields (40 yards long, 30 yards wide) for a chance to be crowned champion.
When it was all said and done, AC Orange (youth division) and Dream Killers (open division) received their championship medals after defeating AC White and Hwy 55, respectively, in the title matches.
Dream Killers was the only team to go undefeated throughout the day.
“I loved that everyone looked like they were having a great time despite the heat,” Colleen Parsons said. “Everyone has asked why don’t we do this more than once a year.”
To help cool off those in attendance, Mari Bennett of LMO Paradise Rentals brought out a water slide — which was mainly for the children. The spectators who weren’t able to enjoy the blow-up water slide came prepared, however, as many of them set up their own tents in order to stay in the shade.
As for the soccer tournament, a new division was added this year where a total of 12 individuals under the age of 12 were grouped together and played in scrimmages refereed by Keith Parsons. Rosters were switched each game so that every player would have the opportunity to play with, and against, everyone.
Also new this time around were the sportmanship awards that three individuals received for their respectable behaviors. Kyla Sampson was honored in the U12 division, Shelby Matheson for the youth division and Wayne Millen for the open division.
“This isn’t the World Cup. This is about having fun and getting better,” Colleen Parsons added. “That’s why we wanted to make the sportsmanship award a part of it.”
Proceeds from this year’s event will go to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America in support of Parsons’ daughter, Libbie, who was recently diagnosed with Ocular Myasthenia Gravis — a neuromuscular disorder in which the muscles that move the eyes and control the eyelids are easily fatigued and weakened.
Last year, the Richmond Rush donated all proceeds to both Corey Davis and Amy Faw. Davis has a rare condition called Systemic Sclerosis (scleroderma) that affects many things including the heart, lungs, kidneys, skin and circulation. Faw is fighting triple-negative breast cancer, which is a less common and more difficult to treat type of the disease.
Keith Parsons believes the club’s ability to help others while also bringing awareness to the 3-on-3 form of soccer is a “win-win for everybody.” Players, coaches and spectators get to enjoy the game of soccer and at the same time contribute to a good cause.
“It was just a wonderful day that’s getting bigger and better every year,” he said.
Reach sports editor Leon Hargrove Jr. at 910-817-2673 and follow the sports section on Twitter @RCDailySports.
Keith Parsons, left, hands over one of the championship medals after AC Orange defeated AC White for the youth division title Saturday afternoon.
The Richmond Rush FC soccer club hosted its third annual Hwy 55 3v3 Soccer Challenge this past Saturday at Browder Park in Rockingham. There were 12 teams across two divisions that participated in the tournament games, with AC Orange and Dream Killers taking home the championship medals.