The Hobart Junior Chamber (Jaycees) kicked off its sixth annual mud volleyball tournament at the Hobart Rugby Field this weekend.
“The event has gotten bigger each year since we started it," said event coordinator Bill Petri. "It’s a good way for people to come out and have some fun for a good cause. All the proceeds go to charity, this year we’re donating to Riley Children’s Hospital, we’re sponsoring children with facial deformities to go to camp and that’s a really neat thing. We’re also donating to St. Jude’s Children’s hospital and Christmas for kids shopping spree."
The tournament has grown in popularity each year as more teams sign up to get dirty for a good cause. The number of teams that compete each year has more than doubled since the tournament’s inception.
“We started out with maybe 20 teams our first year and now we have almost 70 teams competing. We’ll probably get to Sunday before all of the teams will have had a chance to play. I think it’s getting popular because it’s unique, there is nothing else like this in this area. I think that’s what keeps people coming back every year. Even our volunteers, everyone working is a volunteer, people at the desks and the umpires. We’re lucky enough to have some local bands donate their time as well,” said Petri.
Each year teams come out to get dirty and compete in the two-day event. The first day of the tournament is pool play. Co-ed teams of six to eight players get on the muddy court and battle for a chance to advance to the next day of competition. The winning teams from pool play will return this Sunday for a double elimination round that will decide the championship winner.
This year’s champions will walk away with bragging rights, free registration for next year’s tournament and a two foot tall trophy made of Miller Light cans.
“We’ve been competing in this tournament for the last few years. I always like getting a team together and coming out. It’s always a lot of fun to play in the mud. A few beers, you’re friends and lots of mud, that’s a fun weekend. Who doesn’t like getting dressed up in a bunch of crazy outfits and jumping around in mud for a few hours,” said Carrie King, a member of last year’s winning team.