DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WALA) – The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo begins Friday morning on Dauphin Island, following a kickoff party Thursday night that featured the Captain T-Bone’s Liar’s Contest.

Rodeo contestants, their families and others attended the event, where participants competed to tell their best fish tales.

Cody Ward, vice president of publicity for the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, said the stories are always a highlight.

“I don’t like to speculate too much on the lies, there are a lot of them, they come and go, and they are great all the time,” Ward said. “Make sure you’re out here, check them out, support these people, they love to do this and we love to hear their fish tales.”

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Soccer is rapidly growing in Alabama and there aren’t enough officials to accommodate.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup had an impact on the growth of the sport.

“Instead of the World Cup arriving in America, America has arrived at the World Cup,” AHSAA Soccer Officials Coordinator Cedric Thomas said. “Watch parties across the county has showcased how America has reacted to the beautiful game.”

The 2026 World Cup reminded fans within North Alabama how special the game of soccer is and the game is rapidly growing in the Valley.

“It’s larger than any football program,” Alabama State Youth Referee Administrator Thomas Russell said. “We have more recreational soccer players than all of football combined.”

The rapid growth has created issues across the state. The biggest issue is the lack of soccer officials in Alabama.

There are around 900 certified soccer referees in Alabama, but the state needs about 1,500 for all games at all levels to operate smoothly.

“You cannot have an official game without officials,” Thomas said. “You can see the impact on the kids faces when only one or two referees show up and you need a third to make it an official game.”

The impact goes beyond the whistle. Referees in soccer have the ability to teach young athletes during games.

“We don’t coach them in the game, but we can teach them what they can and can’t do,” Russell said. “You can see a good referee who works with the kids and interacts with the kids. One that doesn’t just call a foul and go away.”

Soccer is highlighted on all levels in Huntsville. From youth soccer to AHSAA Soccer State Championships and the Huntsville City Football Club.

“I would say that the Huntsville Sports Commission and the city has solidified whatever that vision they had for soccer.”

More officials are needed for the sport to grow in North Alabama and across the state.

To find out how to become an official:

Click Here to Subscribe on YouTube: Watch the latest WAFF 48 news, sports & weather videos on our YouTube channel!