Palm Beach County Announced as Site for
2010 National Soccer Games
Thousands of young players from all over the country will participate in games
(West Palm Beach, FL & Honolulu, HI) The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and the Village of Wellington are pleased to announce the selection of the Village of Wellington in Palm Beach County, FL as the site for the AYSO 2010 National Games.
The official announcement was made yesterday with the opening of the 2008 AYSO National Games being held, July 6-13 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The joint bid package was submitted in April and approved at the annual AYSO business meeting held in San Francisco over the Memorial Day Weekend. The bid for conducting the games in Palm Beach County won out over offerings submitted from Southern California and Eastern Tennessee. The prestigious Games are held every other year.
The 2010 Games will be held over the July 4th weekend 2010 in Wellington at the Palm Beach International Polo Club and will incorporate five days of competition amongst players 18 and under. Thirty soccer fields, all in one contiguous location, will be created on the polo fields at the club. Manicured and cut to competition soccer length, players will be in attendance from every area of the country and will represent most states.
Teams are chosen to participate by a national lottery draw with 24 boys and girls teams from eight age divisions, U-12 through U-19, as well as the Very Important Players (VIP) division. VIP players are those with physical or mental challenges who love to play soccer.
Don Dufresne, President of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission looks forward to this family oriented event coming to Palm Beach County. “We anticipate the 2010 AYSO National Games will attract 10,000 to 15,000 players and spectators to the area,” Dufresne said. “That will create a significant boost to the local economy during what is normally the “off season”, occupy an estimated 10,000 hotel room nights and an estimated contribution of $8-$9 million in economic impact.” he said.
Local AYSO Section Director Wendy Smith noted that this is the first time Florida has hosted the national event and planning is underway to insure a complete success. Smith said “We plan to use this as a spring-board to grow our soccer program throughout the State. AYSO is the ONLY recreational youth soccer program with the level of credentials and personnel required to provide a soccer event at the highest level of the sport that incorporates the entire family into a fair, safe and fun soccer experience for the players and fans. Our kids and our people are the best.”
Smith expects a lot of local and state interest in these games. “Teams start planning years in advance to attend a tournament of this magnitude,” she said. “We have launched a website, www.AYSOSection14.org to provide information and a constant update of plans for the tournament. The site is up and operational now.” Smith said.
The National Games offer an opportunity to bring together soccer players from throughout the country to share in the diverse soccer culture of the AYSO family. This occasion focuses on sportsmanship, team spirit and making new friends through the activities and events that are offered during the event.
AYSO Venue Chair Bill Reese added that this event will draw on volunteer resources from around the State and beyond. He noted “We appreciate the efforts and support received from the Village of Wellington, The Palm Beach International Polo Club and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission in assembling the bid and look forward to working with the entire Palm Beach County sports community to set a new standard for the AYSO National Games -- done Florida style.”
That standard was echoed by the Florida Sports Foundation. "With the first-class athletic facilities Palm Beach County offers and the wide variety of amenities that area of the state possesses, it's no surprise the AYSO is forming a partnership with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission," said Larry Pendleton, President/CEO of the Florida Sports Foundation. "The Palm Beach County Sports Commission has a long history of hosting successful events and thousands of athletes from all over the United States. It will definitely be an exciting week for soccer players and enthusiasts when the AYSO National Tournament comes to Palm Beach County in the summer of 2010."
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About AYSO
The American Youth Soccer Organization is the largest single-entity youth soccer association in the U.S. with over 610,000 registered players and 225,000 volunteers. AYSO develops and delivers quality youth soccer programs in a fun, safe environment based on the Five Philosophies of Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching and Good Sportsmanship. To learn more about AYSO and how you can become a part of AYSO and the National Games experience, contact (800)USA-AYSO or visit www.soccer.org. For more information on the AYSO National Games coming to Florida go to www.AYSOSection14.org
About Palm Beach County Sports Commission
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is a private, not-for-profit organization contracted by Palm Beach County to promote and market the County as a sports and sports tourism destination. The Commission brings sporting events and activities to the County, enhances economic impact, stimulates bed tax revenues (primarily in the off-season), and maximizes utilization of County facilities. The Commission offers a full range of event service support, corporate partnerships, sponsorships and a local membership program that support its goals. Local, regional, national and international marketing efforts are ongoing by the Commission with sports organizations and event owners. For more information on the Palm Beach County Sports Commission go to www.palmbeachsports.com.
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