- April 24, 2024
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Female lacrosse players will inundate Wadsworth Park this weekend, as the Heatwave Lacrosse Tournament makes its debut in Flagler County.
In a time when tourism officials are promoting the sports tourism industry, the lacrosse tournament marks the second large-scale sports tournament to take place in the county in the past two weeks. Bill Hanrahan, coach of the Matanzas High School girls lacrosse team, has helped lead the charge in bringing the tournament to Flagler County. He said it used to be held in St. Johns County.
Sixty-five teams totaling more than 1,000 players — not including coaches and family members — will take over Wadsworth Park for the tournament, which will take place July 8 to July 10. Teams will be from Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.
The tournament is for middle school, high school, college and post-collegiate players.
Tournament Director Paul McCord, of MCC Sports, said he is excited for the tournament to come to Flagler.
“It is a great venue and is larger than the venue we have played on in St. Johns County for the past four years,” McCord said in a statement Tuesday.
As of July 1, most of the rooms in the larger hotels throughout the county have been booked, according to Hanrahan.
County Administrator Craig Coffey said the county is excited to host this tournament.
“It is great exposure for the county and a grand compliment to the kind of facilities Flagler County has to offer,” Coffey said.
Coffey also noted the impact the tournament can have on Flagler’s economy.
“The tournament is a boost to the local economy as well,” he said. “Hotel rooms are booked, and local restaurants and stores will benefit from the additional business.”
Tour de Palm Coast
The city of Palm Coast is also in on the sports tourism niche.
On Saturday, July 16, the city will host its second-annual Tour de Palm Coast to commemorate Parks and Recreation Month.
Bicyclists will begin the tour of the city’s trail system at 8 a.m., beginning at Waterfront Park, along the Intracoastal Waterway, through the St. Joe Walkway and Linear Park.
For more information, contact the city’s Parks and Recreation Department at 986-2323.
