By Erik Stetson

This year won't be the first the North American Sand Soccer Championships went international, but it will mark the first time the British Royal Navy rolls out the big guns in an attempt to take the military division.

HMS Richmond and HMS Tireless each have slots for teams this year and Dick Whalen, tournament director, said it's an example of the event's rapid growth. "We've actually had international teams for about the past four or five years," he said. "We've had teams from Norway, Canada, from England ... those were college teams. We have teams that are ethnic, but are headquartered in the United States. SACLANT, however, has been with the tournament since it's inception." SACLANT, or Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic, is NATO's headquarters unit in America, located in Norfolk. They have participated since 1994.

The tournament, scheduled for June 8 to 9, will take over the Virginia Beach oceanfront from Rudee Inlet to 14th Street. In addition to courts and nonstop games, vendors also will add to the carnival atmosphere. "We'll sell 10,000 shirts and play 1,000 games and hope for good weather," Whalen said. "By the end of the weekend, we'll crown a champion."

He also said the tournament's overall number of teams has grown this year - up 60 teams to a total of about 550. He added that more women and clubs from outside Virginia are participating as well. Organizers turned 100 teams down because of a lack of referees.

Familia, a national champion beach soccer team with Brazilian players headquartered in Miami, will be returning this year, he added. They will be competing for a $6,000 top prize in the Men's Pro-Am division. "The Brazilians have come up every year and beat up on basically all comers since they showed up about four years ago," Whalen said. "They took this whole tournament up a notch."

Twelve military teams also are participating, most in the military division. However, they are doing more than playing - they also are helping set up. Capt. Aaron Angell, coach and captain of the team Norfolk Marines, said his team would bring 20 volunteers and also throw in some humvees to help move water and equipment. "This area is very heavy on the Navy," he said. "By getting out it shows everybody 'hey, the Marines are out here too.' This gives us a little sense of pride." The humvees, when they are not transporting goods, will be on display for tournament visitors. Angell said his team also would set up a tent, bring a recruiter and offer face painting for kids. This year will mark the Marines' third in the tournament and Angell's second with the team.

Last year, he estimated, Marines painted 40 or 50 children's faces in camouflage and added "U.S.A." to some so they could support American teams in international matches. They also offered humvee rides, but he said rides may not happen this year because of safety concerns.

Angell said he has a young, fit team. He has played soccer since he was eight years old and is captain of the Norfolk Marines Outdoor Adventure Team in addition to heading the soccer club. He added that he hopes they can take the military division this year. "I think it's definitely possible," he said. "(But) last year, the division looked pretty competitive."

Whalen said volunteer help from military teams like the Norfolk Marines is essential to making the tournament happen. He predicted about 120 military people would show up as early as sunrise June 7 on the beach to start building the required 39 courts and erect tents and signs. "They will labor in that tough environment in what looks like an amphibious assault, as I describe it," he said. "They show up in hordes."

Another 90 or so volunteers will show up afterward to help run things during the event itself. Whalen described it as the culmination of a year's effort. "It's a Herculean task to do this," he said. "And there are only a handful of people who do this for eight or nine months out of the year."

All proceeds from the tournament support the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex. So far, the tournament has raised about $600,000 for the facility, located in Virginia Beach.

Want to go?

• What: North American Sand Soccer Championships
• Where: Virginia Beach Oceanfront, from Rudee Inlet to 14th Street adjacent to the Boardwalk
• When: June 8-9
• How much: free
• More information: www.sandsoccer.com