FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ---
October 7, 2009 (Greenville South Carolina) --- Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA ) and the South Carolina Youth Soccer Association (SCYSA ) in conjunction with the Greenville County Council, Greenville City Council, Greenville County Recreation Department, and the Greenville Convention and Visitors Bureau are proud to announce that they will host the 2012 United States Youth Soccer Association’s (USYSA) Southern Regional Championships at the MESA Soccer Complex.
This prestigious event will bring together 188 teams with state championship teams from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Texas and Tennessee to compete to be regional champions and earn a berth in the USYSA National Championships.
Pearse Tormey, Co-Executive Director of CESA, noted in making the announcement: “CESA is excited to have the opportunity to join with our state soccer organization, SCYSA, as well as Greenville’s public and private sectors to host the Southern Regional Championships. This event has not been held in Greenville since 1995. We feel that with our state of the art facility at MESA, our tremendous core of over 500 local volunteers, and the commitment of local governing bodies, we will make this event a real showcase for the talented group of youth players who will participate as well as for the Greenville area as a great destination location.”
The 16 field MESA Soccer Complex, located in Greer, will host games featuring teams in six single year age groups (under 14 through under 19) for both boys and girls. The Southern Regional Championships will be held in June 2012 and will involve six days of competition. In addition, the Bi-Lo Center, in downtown Greenville, will host an opening ceremony for the over 5,000 players and parents, who will attend the regional event. The Marriott Airport will be the headquarters hotel.
The Southern Regional Championships are expected to provide a major economic boost for the Upstate as participants will fill in excess of 10,000 hotel room nights at 40 different properties over the duration of the tournament. The expected positive economic impact for the Greenville area is estimated at $8 million.
“The USYSA Southern Regional Championships is a perfect fit for the Greenville area. We can feature our superb hospitality, great sports and recreational facilities, supportive community, convenient and accessible location, ability to manage major events, and enthusiasm for family oriented activities --- all while generating revenue for area businesses. This will be a win-win for the Southern soccer community and our community,” added Gene Smith Executive Director Greenville County Recreation District.
Pearse Tormey
CO Executive Director
Carolina Elite Soccer Academy
18 Boland CT
Greenville, SC 29615
864 329 1113 office
864 329 1103 fax
=
