Last Friday evening, the sports hall at Steenwijklaan was transformed into a vibrant neon spectacle. The BlackLight Tournament was on the agenda, and it turned out to be an unforgettable night filled with sports, music, and plenty of fun!
Preparations in Full Swing
The day started early for the volunteers. From 2:30 pm onwards, they worked tirelessly to transform the hall: covering the lights, applying fluorescent tape to the floor, and adding neon accents everywhere. By the time the first participants arrived at 6:30 pm, the hall had become a dazzling neon disco!
Rules and Pulsating Beats
The tournament officially kicked off at 7:30 pm. AC member Merel began by briefly explaining the rules: no jumping at the net for men, underhand serving only, and teams rotated after three serves. Simple enough, right? Well, maybe not for everyone—but the fun wasn’t dampened! With DJ Vinnie’s beats setting the tone, the energy in the room was electric from the start.
Competitive Spirit and Enthusiastic Plus-Ones
Seven teams, comprising a total of 60 players, stepped into the blacklight arena. Among them were enthusiastic plus-ones who quickly grasped the rules and joined in with great zeal. Each match lasted 15 minutes, resulting in nail-biting scores like 21-20 and, occasionally, more one-sided results like 38-19. The enthusiasm remained sky-high throughout the night.
Fancy Dress and Creative Neon Art
The evening’s theme was neon, and most participants embraced it wholeheartedly. From fluorescent shirts to glowing shoes, the outfits were nothing short of spectacular. Some even went the extra mile with striking face paint, coloured beards, and vibrant hair. A few missed the dress code, but they took the jokes and winks about it in good spirit.
Treats, Bubbles, and a Speech by the Chairman
Halfway through the evening, it was time for a well-deserved break. Dutch oliebollen and bubbly drinks were served, and Chairman Ronald took the opportunity to wish everyone a happy new year in a brief yet heartfelt speech. The pause offered a chance to catch up with friends and recharge for the second half of the tournament.
Lessons for Next Year
Of course, there’s always room for improvement. A group warm-up session might be a fun addition for next year—think Olga Commandeur style to get everyone’s muscles ready for action!
See You Next Year!
The BlackLight Tournament was another resounding success. A huge thank-you to everyone who participated and helped make it an unforgettable evening. We’re already looking forward to next year’s edition!
A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped making this event amazing!!
Check Out the Photos!
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