Beach 5s Championships boasts fun, fast-paced festival of footy in Wollongong

An exciting beach sport which combines the skills of Rugby Union and Rugby League on a smaller seaside field is set to take over the sand at North Wollongong this weekend as the Beach 5s Championships comes to the region.

The Illawarra will host hundreds of barefoot players along our shoreline during the second annual OSMAC South Coast NSW Beach 5s Championships which will showcase our beautiful beaches, local sporting talent and participants from interstate.

Event ambassador and league legend Shaun Timmins said the location and fun of the sport brought an exciting atmosphere for participants and viewers.

“I think it’s just a fun vibe,” Shaun said.

“The whole beach scene, playing by the water, playing on the soft sand with a couple of your friends – it should be a really enjoyable day.

“And we’ve got some of the best beaches around.”

Interest in the sport has spiked, with 20 teams already registered, which is double the number from last year’s event.

And it’s expected to be a massive finale to Beach 5s ‘Summer of Footy’ with the event being earmarked as the perfect preseason bonding session for the winter football competitions.

“There’s plenty of good skill that you’ll see on the day from both kids, boys, girls and older guys as well,” Shaun said.

The contact sport is a combination of Rugby League and Rugby Union with no scrums, played on a 31-metre by 25-metre pitch.

There are only five players in the field of play, with as many as seven reserves and no interchange limit.

And although the field is smaller, the setting creates it’s own challenges.

“You’ve got enough room to run and pass the ball around but it does make it a bit more of a level playing field,” Shaun said.

“With everyone running on the soft sand, you sink in and it slows you up a bit, so obviously you can’t run as quick so it probably levels it out a little.”

And while registrations are now closed, spectating is free with plenty of things to see on the day.

“You’re getting a bit of fun, fitness, football; people can enjoy a drink watching and have a bit of a socialise as well,” Shaun said.

“You get to tick both boxes; if you’re not playing get down there and have a look, it will be quite enjoyable and there will be plenty of music and stuff happening, so it’ll be a good day.”

The feedback from clubs and players eager to be involved has helped the event to find a permanent place on the sporting calendar, with Beach 5s soon to be run in November, with another Wollongong event already locked in for 22 and 23 November this year.

The event will run this Saturday 22 February at North Wollongong Beach.

For more information visit the Beach 5s website.