VIDEO: Soccer Will Go To the Dogs During Space Coast State Fair This Fall In Viera
By Space Coast Daily // September 4, 2017
at new Viera Fairgrounds BEGINNING OCT. 27
ABOVE VIDEO: The Space Coast State Fair will feature soccer playing dogs when the clever-kicking four-legged friends “head” over to the new Viera Fairgrounds on Sunday, Nov. 12.
BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – The Space Coast State Fair will feature soccer playing dogs when the clever-kicking four-legged friends “head” over to the new Viera Fairgrounds on Sunday, Nov. 12.
“When we heard about this fun show, we knew it was perfect for Brevard,” said Giles Malone, fair director.
“With more than 12,000 registered youth soccer players in the Brevard Youth Soccer League, plus thousands of adult and recreational players, there are lots of soccer fans on the Space Coast.”
On Sunday, Nov. 12, attendees will be able to enjoy the dog soccer show from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., free unlimited rides and all the other shows for just $15 gate admission.
This is a fund raising event developed by a new dog rescue organization called SoccerDogs.org or SDO, a Central Florida organization founded by Mark Lukas who owns a Soccer Dog Team called the “Soccer Collies.”
SPACE COAST DAILY TV: The Space Coast State Fair new fairgrounds in Viera is getting ready for its Oct. 27 opening night, which will feature Country Music Legend Mark Chesnutt. The Space Coast State Fair is Brevard County’s most popular annual event and has been a tradition on the Space Coast for 31 years. Sponsored by Viera Hospital, this year the fair will open Friday, Oct. 27 and close on Sunday, Nov. 12.
New Sport Saves Lives, Provides Employment
Dog Soccer is played when participants form a circle around a very soft ball and a highly skilled Soccer Dog. When the dog pushes the ball out of the circle, the dog has scored a goal.
The dogs score a lot of goals, which brings a lot of smiles and laughter.
“Often the humans will conspire to beat the Soccer Dog and they begin kicking the ball around the circle, a tactic that soon gets the best of the humans as the K9 eventually catches up to the ball and puts it past someone,” said Lukas.
“The dog always wins because the humans are not allowed to score goals. They play as a team of goalkeepers and there’s no spectating allowed, it’s participation only. Also, there is no way to stop Soccer Collie BEK from scoring.”
The Dog Soccer Game takes advantage of a dog’s strength which is speed, agility and quick reflexes. Dogs balance on four legs and hit the ball with their mouth. Their reflexes are so fast the ball hits you before you can blink.
All dogs must have their own kennel in order to participate in the Dog Soccer event at the Space Coast State Fair. BEK plays off leash, all other dogs will play on a leash.
Only one K9 Athlete plays the game while all of the other dogs wait their turn to share their soccer skills with the humans.
“Ball motivated rescue dogs will be displayed for their soccer potential and they will be available for adoption through the local rescue organizations that participate in this event,”said Lukas.
“Many ball motivated dogs find a new soccer-loving home through Dog Soccer Tournaments like the one coming soon to the Space Coast State Fair.”
Soccer Collie BEK will be appearing, along with local soccer dogs and local ball motivated rescue dogs available for adoption. Contact Lukas at SoccerCollies@gmail.com to bring your dog as a participant.
Related Story:Country Music Legend Mark Chesnutt To Perform At Space Coast State Fair In Viera Oct. 27
SDO operates on a 90/10 formula, 90 percent of funds raised go to those that volunteer and do the work of identifying and fostering a potential Soccer Dog; 10 percent of the funds raised go to SDO to manage the Soccer Dog Adoption Program.
“Ninety percent of the funds raised will go to the local dog rescue organizations and foster families that participate in the event by bringing their rescue dogs with a high ball drive and we will help find them a soccer-loving home,”said Lukas.
“A program with a global market,” says Lukas who sees the Soccer Dog Adoption Program connecting the soccer world with the dog rescue world.
CLICK HERE for more information about the Space Coast State Fair or call 855-386-3836 or 321-323-4460.
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