Building on the momentum of a hugely successful BC Summer Games, Langley is hosting yet another major sporting event, this time over the Labour Day long weekend.

The Langley Labour Day Michael J. Smith Memorial Tournament, or LLDT, will draw 130 youth soccer teams (80 girls teams, 50 boys teams) to 30 community fields, Sept. 4-6.

One of those facilities, Aldergrove Athletic Park, played host to boys and girls soccer during the July 22-25 BC Games competition.

Involving teams ranging in age from U11 to U18 and skill levels from house to metro, the LLDT is now 12 years old. Jim Shopland is entering his fifth year as tournament chairperson, and said that, once the event gets underway, the months of planning and preparation are well worth it.

"Every year I look forward to the Labour Day tournament as the unofficial kick-off to the soccer season," he said.

With BC Summer Games soccer and the World Cup being held just weeks apart from each other, the sport dubbed "the beautiful game" hasn't been far from people's minds throughout the summer of 2010.

"The BC Summer Games was a fantastic opportunity for Langley to showcase its sporting expertise," Shopland said. "And the World Cup always provides a vehicle to showcase the sport of soccer. Although we may not see an increase in teams participating in this year's tournament, we will see the benefits of increased participation in years to come."

Shopland said the Games left its footprint by helping provide the LLDT with a venue - Aldergrove Athletic Park - at which it can host its U11 and U12 "eight-versus-eight" format games.

"This is a great facility that will allow all teams in those age groups to compete at the same facility," he said. "It cuts down on the travel and confusion for the young families of having to go to different fields."

With an eye on future LLDT events, Shopland said the federal government infrastructure program has given the local soccer community an opportunity to work in partnership with the Township of Langley to build an additional artificial turf field at Willoughby Community Park.

"This field is designed for multiple sports, and will allow us to host more teams at that facility in the coming years," he said, noting that the LLDT, Langley United Youth Soccer Association (LUYSA), and Langley Football Club (LFC) worked together on the project.

This year's tournament will attract 19 teams from outside the Lower Mainland, which Shopland said is about normal. Of those out-of-town teams, only one is from outside of B.C.

"We generally have about five [out-of-province] teams each year," Shopland said. "I would suggest that the costs of travel are discouraging teams, and teams may be choosing to stay closer to home for their tournaments."

As in past years, the LLDT has a fun-first theme.

"First and foremost the tournament is about having fun," Shopland said. "Most teams use the tournament as an opportunity to start their season and get the rust out of the players."

HELPING PUT THE TOURNAMENT TOGETHER IS THE LLDT ORGANIZING COMMITTEE INCLUDING:

- director of communications Michelle Field;

- director of registration Toni Burgess;

- director of referees Diane Wakelin;

- director of operations Ron MacWilliams;

- director of fields Cindy Andal;

- director of finance Jennifer Power;

- director of marketing Juanita Lomax, and;

- director of administration Mona Williamson.

Visit the tournament website at: www.langleysoccer.com.