For Immediate Release
2010 Needham Memorial Day Tournament & MPS College Showcase AchievesRecord Participation
Needham,MA – May 24, 2010 - The Needham Soccer Club and Mass Premier Soccer are pleased toannounce that the 2010 Needham Memorial Day Tournament & MPS CollegeShowcase, taking place May 28-31, 2010, has achieved record participation andis now the largest Memorial Day youth soccer tournament in the country.
Record Participation by Teams
"We're thrilled at the participation this year - we have 584teams playing 1020 games across Needham and surrounding towns includingMedfield, Waltham, Westwood, Dover, Wellesley, Lexington, Belmont, Weston,Braintree and Marlborough.” said Chris Selland, Tournament Director. “In addition to teams from across the EasternUS, we've also got a significant international presence, with numerous teamsfrom Canada and the UK. We are achieving our goal to be not just thebiggest - but also the best -youth soccer tournament in the United States."
MPS College Showcase a Huge Success
According to James Hamblin, League and Tournament Director forMass Premier Soccer, "the MPS College Showcase and our partnership withNeedham Soccer Club has been a huge success.This year we have well over 120 NCAA coaches joining us to watch arecord number of teams and players in the U15 - U19 age groups. Theseplayers are provided with a unique opportunity to be seen during the collegerecruiting process."
College Recruitment Opportunities
In addition to the 100+ college coachesregistered to attend, the MPS College Showcase also provides unique opportunitiesfor players going through the college process.In attendance throughout the event will be representatives from GlobalPremier Soccer (www.globalpremiersoccer.com)and College Soccer Advantage (collegesocceradvantage.net)
Global Premier Soccer (GPS) provides access to a European College education for Americanstudent-athletes. In addition to the quality of the education of EuropeanColleges and Universities, student-athletes are afforded opportunities tocompete and train for 12 months as GPS facilitates a soccer experience with theCollege and local amateur or professional clubs.
College Soccer Advantage (GPS) isthe official college recruitment company of the MPS College Showcase and existto provide guidance for players throughout the college process.
GPS and CSA will be hosting aseminar for all interested players on Saturday May 29th, from 6pm –8pm at the Westin Hotel in Weston. Theseminar is free to attend and will give further insight into GPS partnerinstitutions and the CSA model.
Positive Impact on the Local Economy
"This is our 34th year of delivering one of the most successfuland fun Tournaments inthe country, and we're thrilled to welcome teams from all over the US, Canadaand the UK," said Mark Miskin, Executive Director of the Needham SoccerClub. "Our partnerships with towns, local businesses, soccer clubs and theNew England Revolution have contributed greatly to our success and also thelocal economy, with an estimated 25,000 players, coaches and family membersvisiting the area. This Memorial Day weekend is bound to be a successfuland memorable weekend for all concerned."
New England Revolution Partnership,Tournament Game & Special Event at Gillette Stadium
In addition to the Tournament, for the first time this year, theTournament has partnered with the New England Revolution for a special event atGillette Stadium on Saturday evening, May 29.A College Showcase game will be played on the Gillette Stadium fieldprior to the Major League Soccer game between the New England Revolution andNew York/New Jersey Red Bulls, featuring Codsall Community High School (UK) andthe Mass Premier Soccer Bulldogs. In addition, numerous Tournament teams willbe tailgating at and attending the games as well.
For More Information
For more information on the Needham Memorial Day Tournament andMPS College Showcase, including a complete list of participating teams, games,college coaches and other information, visit www.needhamsoccer.com/tournament.
For additional information on Mass Premier Soccer, visit www.masspremiersoccer.com
Media Contact:
Chris Selland - Tournament Director
NeedhamTourney@needhamsoccer.com
(617) 500-3465