US Youth Soccer Region III (South) Championships to be Played in OK

The US Youth Soccer Region III (South) Championships will be held as scheduled June 20-27 in Edmond, Okla.  

“The US Youth Soccer community offers its thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the tornadoes in Moore, Okla. and the surrounding area,” US Youth Soccer president John Sutter said. “The effort to assist those impacted by this tragedy is our first concern.  Our Region and State Associations are providing support and contributions now.  We plan to do more at the regional championships in June.”

A moment of silence is planned at the Opening Ceremony in honor of the victims.  The ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. on June 20 at Wantland Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma.  To assist the relief efforts, a designated area will be set aside for players, families and attendees to make donations to those affected by the tragedy. Items such as water bottles, canned foods and other useful supplies are recommended as donations.

In addition to the donation of goods, the Oklahoma Soccer Association has set up an account to accept monetary donations that will be used to aid relief efforts.  You can make a donation using the following methods:

• Mail a check to: First Fidelity Bank, PO Box 270725, Oklahoma City, OK 73137 (Please make checks out to: OSA Tornado Relief Fund)
• Text a donation by texting the word SOCCER to 41444
• Use the online donation link for either credit card or electronic check.

 More information is available on the Oklahoma Soccer Association web page at www.oksoccer.com. 

“Youth soccer is about more than just the game,” said Oklahoma Soccer Association president Tom Wedding. “Our community cares about the children and the families who allow us to serve them. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from our youth soccer families, clubs and State Associations across the country. These donations will be used to help those who are suffering from this tragedy.”

The regional championships, hosted by the City of Edmond and the Oklahoma Soccer Association, are expected to draw more than 3,600 players, an estimated 12,000 spectators and $8 million dollars in economic impact to the area.

The Region III Championships consist of US Youth Soccer State Champions from 12 states, including the host Oklahoma Soccer Association, wildcard entries as well as US Youth Soccer Southern Premier League teams.  The regional championships are the second leg of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.

The tournament will attract more than 200 boys and girls teams, ages Under-13 through Under-19, from the 12 State Associations that make up US Youth Soccer Region III (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Texas and Tennessee).

For more on the championships, visit the website. 

About the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series: The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer's 55 State Associations the opportunity to showcase their abilities against the best in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play. The yearlong competition begins with over 185,000 players in the US Youth Soccer State Championships.  These champions and selected wildcard teams, through US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues, advance to compete in one of four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Champions (U-13 through U-19) from each regional event advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships.  The Under-15 through Under-18 Boys and Girls age groups have four teams representing the US Youth Soccer National League, in which the top two teams in each gender age group division earn a direct path to the National Championships. Overall, the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country. For more information, visit http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer):  US Youth Soccer, "The Game for ALL Kids!®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit http://www.USYouthSoccer.org