The Daytona Beach area, in cooperation with the Halifax Area Advertising Authority (HAAA) and Team Florida Volusia County Weightlifting, will host the 2014 USA Weightlifting Youth Nationals and Youth Olympic Games Trials June 12-15 at Spruce Creek High School’s Hawks Arena in Port Orange, a 33-time Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Weightlifting Champion. The destination’s history with the sport dates back to 1987 when Daytona Beach hosted the inaugural Women’s World Championships.
This series of events is projected to realize more than $400,000 in economic impact and generate approximately 1,000 hotel room stays in the Daytona Beach area. The meet involves fierce competition from 400 youth athletes, 17 years of age and younger, from across the U.S. This event will also determine who will represent the United States in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China as well as other international events. Athletes, staff, and attendees will enjoy accommodations at the host hotel, Hyatt Place Daytona Beach Oceanfront, and other destination hotel partners.
“Spruce Creek is extremely excited to be a part of the Youth National Championship,” said Thomas Bennett, Weightlifting Head Coach, Spruce Creek High School. “This event will place our school in front of hundreds of high school weightlifting athletes and allow them competition at the national level.”
“We’re delighted to bring the 2014 Youth National Championships to the Daytona Beach area,” said USA Weightlifting CEO Michael Massik. “This age group represents the future of our sport and it’s fitting we return to Florida, a state known for including weightlifting in its high school curriculum.”
Growing in popularity as a host destination for annual sporting events and competitions, Daytona Beach will host the NAIA Football National Championships in 2014-2016. The destination historically welcomes 8 million visitors per year and is recognized worldwide for its annual racing-themed sporting events including Rolex 24 at Daytona, Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400. Daytona Beach’s famed heritage also claims the U.S. headquarters of LPGA and NASCAR and is home to Daytona International Speedway, the ‘World Center of Racing’.
“Our sports division is gaining tremendous momentum and solidifying these events is a testament to their hard work,” said Dan Francati, Chairman, HAAA. “Our destination is ideal for hosting youth conferences and events and I’m happy to see the addition of the Youth Olympic Games trials drawing possible international attention to the Daytona Beach area.”
About the Daytona Beach Area: Discover the new Daytona Beach and its surrounding area, a resurging destination along Florida’s East Coast comprising eight distinct communities. With more than 15,000 beds, the destination boasts accommodations for all lifestyles and budgets including resorts, B&Bs, hotels and everything in between. Visitors can enjoy the quintessential vacation experience beginning with the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier, or choose from a surprising list of attractions and cultural venues and a colorful culinary scene. With 23 miles of world-famous beaches ideal for shelling swimming, and surfing, it is no surprise tripadvisor® named Daytona Beach a 2012 Top 10 Beach Destination in the U.S. www.DaytonaBeach.com
About USA Weightlifting: USA Weightlifting, a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), is the National Governing Body for the Olympic Sport of Weightlifting in the USA. The mission of USA Weightlifting shall be to enable United States athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence in Olympic competition and to promote and grow the sport of Weightlifting in the United States. www.USAWeightlifting.org.
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