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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau
Kimberly Schmitz
Director of Communications & Public Relations
520.770.2143
Tucson Association of Realtors Soccer Shootout Event Contact:
Pat Dunham, 520-745-9905 or 520-440-5259
Gina Brandt, 520-745-9905 or 520-850-2235
http://www.fortlowellshootout.com/
January 13, 2009
19th ANNUAL SOCCER SHOOTOUT
KICKS OFF WINTER SEASON OF EVENTS
Tucson, Ariz., January 13, 2009. Thousands of youth soccer players and fans return to Tucson for the 19th annual Tucson Association of Realtors Shootout from Jan. 16-18 at Fort Lowell Park and 11 other local fields.
The Shootout kicks off with "Soccer Olympics" competition prior to the tournament. The event showcases 289 Arizona Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) and US Youth Soccer-affiliated teams, including 132 out-of-town clubs. Teams of 14-18 players ranging from under-9 to under-16 will compete in a bracket-style tournament to determine champions. All tournament participants will receive participation pins, while winning teams' players will be awarded gold and silver medals. First- and second-place team coaches will be presented trophies.
Festivities kick off Friday afternoon (Jan. 16) at 4:30 p.m. with the Fort Lowell Picnic in the Park, which features cuisine from Tucson's favorite restaurants, along with entertainment and shopping. At the 6 p.m. Opening Ceremonies, the "Soccer Olympics" torch will be lit and the Parade of Athletes will begin, with awards for the best spirit, hair, mascot, banner and more. The Soccer Olympics begin at 7 p.m. and feature off-field competitions in juggling, accuracy shooting, dribbling and shootout, with gold and silver medals at stake.
Teams will take to the field of competition Saturday and Sunday (Jan. 17&18) for bracket play at Fort Lowell Park and 11 other fields around town. At 5:30 Saturday night, the under-9 and under-10 teams will compete in the "Spirit Cup" cheer competition at Fort Lowell Park, with prizes awarded to the two most creative clubs. Sunday afternoon, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., the Shootout finals will play out, with the awards presentation to follow.
Tucson Association of Realtors Shootout fast facts:
- Roughly 15,000 spectators are expected to attend the Shootout (http://www.fortlowellshootout.com/).
- The 289 teams participating will bring more than 5,940 total out of town travelers to Tucson.
- The economic impact of the Shootout is $3.2 million.
- Participating parks include: Fort Lowell Park (2900 N. Craycroft); Townsend Middle School (2120 N. Beverly); Golf Links Park -Richard Giebner Soccer Fields (2400 S. Craycroft); Himmel Park (1000 N.Tucson); Jacobs Park (1010 W. Lind); Freedom Park (5000 E. 29th St.); Lincoln Park (3999 S. Pantano); Ochoa Park (3400 N. Fairview); Silverlake Park - Quincy Douglas (Kino Pkwy, between29th St. & 36th St.); Udall Park (7200 W. Tanque Verde); Brandi Fenton Memorial Park (Dodge Blvd. & River Rd.);
The MTCVB is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Tucson-area as a convention, visitor, and film production destination. It is financially supported by the City of Tucson, Pima County, the Town of Oro Valley and its nearly 800 individual and business members.
Visit the MTCVB website at http://www.visittucson.org/ or call 1.800.638.8350 for further information.
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