Get pumped up for Llano Project Graduation bubble soccer
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
LLANO — Soccer is coming to Llano High School.
But this isn’t World Cup soccer. No, it’s bubble soccer.
“What is bubble soccer?” you ask.
Well, Deana Kenner has an answer.
“It’s going to be a ball,” she said.
Whether the pun was intended, we don’t know, but a quick look at the Austin Bubble Soccer website backs up exactly what she said.
Bubble soccer combines the world’s most popular sport — soccer — with giant inflatable bubbles that players wear.
On April 27, residents can jump into this sport before it blows up with such high demand that folks will be bursting to play it. (Puns definitely intended.) Austin Bubble Soccer is teaming up with the Llano Project Graduation for a 5-on-5 bubble soccer tournament from 6-9 p.m. in the gym at Llano High School, 2509 Texas 16.
Proceeds from the event benefit Llano Project Graduation, which provides Llano High School graduates with a drug- and alcohol-free post-commencement party.
While the fundraiser sounds unique, Kenner admitted the group “stole” it from another high school’s Project Graduation.
“One of our parents saw the flier for it, grabbed it and said, ‘Why don’t we do this?” Kenner said. So with one last fundraiser before graduation, the group decided to bring the bubbles to Llano.
The concept is just as Kenner described it. Team members climb into individual bubbles, then take on another team of bubble-wearing folks. The games include dodgeball-like Sumo Starts, Domination (you protect your zone at all costs), Redzone Scoring and Mini Goals. But Austin Bubble Soccer staff can come up with other games or modify these to best fit the players’ capabilities, field and format.
One thing participants and fans can expect are big hits. And we’re talking capital B-I-G hits.
“Yeah, they wear these inflatable bubbles, and then they go out and pounce on each other,” Kenner said. “But it’s completely safe. It’s just a lot of fun.”
Registration is $75 per team or $15 per person. Kenner said if there are individuals who want to participate but aren’t on a team, they should call her, and if there are enough, she’ll help them form teams.
Word about the event has spread, and 13 teams have already registered. With only a limited number of spots available, officials encourage people to register quickly. The registration deadline is April 10.
If you don’t want to run around the field in a giant bubble, colliding into others, you can laugh from the stands as well. There is a $3 admission fee for spectators, but you’re not going to be able to match the fun and laughter anywhere else for that price.
Teams or people interested in registering may call Kenner at (325) 423-0288 for more information.
Go to austinbubblesoccer.com for more on bubble soccer.
daniel@thepicayune.com