By LEE TOLLIVER

NEWS FLASH! Virginia Beach has become the national hub for sand soccer. Big deal, you say? IT IS! In just three years, it has become a VERY BIG DEAL!

The North American Sand Soccer Championships, sponsored by the Hampton Roads Soccer Council has enjoyed booming success that has surprised even its organizers - drawing attention to the City from national sponsors. After a first year that saw 28 teams, the event jumped to 132 last year and to 205 at the third annual event last weekend.

"We've been told by the folks at UMBRO (an international soccer outfitter) that our tournament is the "fastest growing single sport in the history of the company", said Dick Whalen, tournament director. "We also understand that UMBRO is going to be making some national sand soccer announcement in the next few weeks and have been given the impression that it has something to do with us".

So just what is the hubbub about? You've got four people running around in the sand, trying to kick a ball past a fifth person who is standing in front of a smaller-than-normal soccer goal. Everyone is hindered by the simple fact that they are playing in the sand. "Sand soccer's tough, no doubt", said Wade Barrett, a former national team player from First Colonial High School who will enter his junior year at William and Mary this fall. "There's good competition out there but mostly I think people are here to have fun. I mean, tons of people play soccer and people love the beach. It's a great combination!" He's right.

Several national surveys show that more kids play soccer today than any other youth participatory sport. And all you have to do to understand how people feel about the beach is to get down there on any given weekend. Judging by the interest in Virginia Beach, people like to watch as well as play. Spectators were plentiful last weekend. "We were surprised at how far it has come this fast", said Karen Knott of the Soccer Council. "But we're not surprised that it would be successful. With our people, we can do anything. And, with the City's help, there's no end to how far we can go."

The people are the key. According to Whalen, the Virginia Beach event is one of the few in the country run solely by volunteers. The Championships feature a core staff of 20 people who devote nine months to planning. When the event kicks off, another group of 75 volunteers join in.

Then, there are about 50 paid referees. All work 16 fields, three organizational tents and a volunteer room at the 6th street Ramada Inn. "You can't do something like this without all the people," Whalen said. "You just can't. And, we've got some of the best soccer people you'd ever hope to find".

Aside from the City making its tax revenue from teams that come from as far away as Ohio and New Jersey, the Soccer Council is the only group benefitting financially from the event. Whalen said that after expenses, the non profit Council hopes to bring in about $30,000. The money will go toward the Council's soccer complex in Princess Anne Park, where 19 fields have been graded and are being prepared for irrigation and seeding. When complete, the Complex will play host to more than 7,500 matches and six to eight tournaments each year. While the completion date hasn't yet been set, organizers said they hope to begin play sometime next year.

Those financial goals are another factor that makes this event different. The fact that no private promoter or company is out to make a buck makes this event unusual. "We remain the only not-for-profit one that we know of and we're keeping up with how the sport is growing everywhere," Whalen, a past president of the Beach FC Travel Soccer Club, said. "Four or five more tournaments popped up along the East Coast this year and many are modeling how they do things after us...except that they're making money off it."

But profits weren't what the players were thinking about this weekend. Many were talking about the sandy playing surface. It was giving some of them plenty of trouble. "Oh, this is definitely harder'" said Julie Miller, a former Salem High All-Tidewater selection who will enter her sophomore year at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte this fall. "This is my first year and it has been a lot of fun. I've gotten the chance to play with some of my old teammates and it's something we;'ll certainly do again!" Miller's team - Bayside Pharmacy - lost in the semifinals of the women's open division, but she didn't seem to mind. "This is much harder than regular soccer," said Miller, who made the all-conference team as a starting center midfielder. "It's not so much skill as it is who can go the hardest for the longest. Kicking the ball and making it do what you want is much tougher in this." Playing barefoot, or, with socks on, makes it a little easier, but not much. Fall were cushioned and there were just a few minor injuries - skinned shins and a jammed toe.

A few proud players sported unique silver or gold "Sand Dollar" medals for finishing first or second in one of the 20 divisions for players from as young as 10 to adults. Among them were members of the U11/12 "Norfolk Force". Unbeaten and unscored on, they paraded around the playing fields with medals hanging around their necks. And, organizers were taking a bow right behind them.