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Featured Article | |
We are excited to announce that the dates for the 19th Annual Celebrity Mascot Games have been set! Your favorite Mascots will battle it out on July 28th at Stetson University and July 29 & 30th at the Amway Center. This is the only event of its kind in the world.
The Games will feature 30 mascots from sports teams across the country competing in a variety of games during the three exciting shows. Proceeds from the Celebrity Mascot Games benefit New Hope for Kids, an Orlando based not-for-profit organization. Don't miss out - "Like" our Facebook Page for event and ticket giveaways.
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM SAM
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We hope this month's activity letter finds you well, as the Central Florida Sports Commission continues its extensive work to bring new and exciting sports related events and activities to Osceola County.
In March, the Sports Commission and Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomed the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association (FAWA) to Osceola Heritage Park for their Folkstyle State Championships. This year the event was hosted in Silver Spurs Arena, and you could tell how excited the athletes were with the move from the Exhibition Hall to the arena. The event welcomed approximately 2,000 athletes and parents to Osceola County for the State Championships. Click on the image for video footage from the event.
April is an exciting month for Osceola County. The weekend of April 15th-17th, the Sports Commission and Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau will be hosting the Division II College Rugby Playoffs at Austin Tindall Park and the FHSAA Boys Weightlifting Championships at the Kissimmee Civic Center. Also returning is the Northeast Conference's Men's Golf Championships. The event will be April 29th - May 1st, and will take place at Champions Gate's International Course. We look forward to continuing this relationship with the NEC.
As a result of the fantastic experiences event organizers have while in Osceola County, many return year after year. Two great examples of this are the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association which hosted their 3rd event in Osceola County this last month, and the Eastern College Athletic Conference that has committed to return to Osceola County next year. Check out the Wins and Losses section below for more information.
Thank you for your continued support as we continue to market Osceola County as the "Amateur Sports Capital." |
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Best Regards,
Sam Stark
President/CEO
Central Florida Sports Commission |
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IN THE PIPELINE  |
On the business development front, the Sports Commission is currently working with the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) to bring back their Division I & II Men's and Women's Soccer Championships and Women's Volleyball Championships to Osceola County for 2011 and 2012. The Soccer Championships have been staged at Austin Tindall Regional Park, with the Volleyball Championships taking place at the Kissimmee Civic Center.
In an effort to expand our relationships with the NCCAA, we are working with the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau and Florida Christian College to potentially place a bid to host the 2012 Division II Men's and Women's Basketball Championships. This event would be staged in early March of 2012 at the Kissimmee Civic Center, and would attract 20 teams from across the United States to Osceola County. Stay tuned!
In addition, we have been in talks with the University of Florida about possible hosting several women's collegiate basketball games at the Silver Spurs Arena this coming December. The event might consist of a double header including Florida and 3 other collegiate teams from across the United States, along with an opening game between 2 girl's high school teams from the State of Florida. As more details come available on this unique opportunity, we will be sure to share them with you. |
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| | WINS & LOSSES | |
(As of March, 2011)
Bids Submitted - 7
Wins - 6
Losses - 0
As mentioned above, the Sports Commission and Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau are proud to announce that the Eastern College Athletic Conference will be returning to Osceola County next January for their Holiday Basketball Invitational. The event would be held January 1-4 and would attract approximately 12 - 15 men's and women's collegiate basketball teams from across the United States. This year's event was staged at the Kissimmee Civic Center, but based on what might be twice the number of teams in attendance from 2011 to 2012; next year's event is proposed to be held at the Silver Spurs Arena.
Its official, USA Rugby is returning to Osceola County this month for their Collegiate Playoffs. 16 total teams (8 men/8 women) from across the United States will compete at Austin Tindall Regional Park on April 16-17. Initial projections have the event generating 700+room nights and over $500,000 in economic impact. |
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| UPCOMING EVENTS | |
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| COMMUNITY PROFILE |
Harmony Sports Complex/ChampionsGate Conference Center
The Sports Commission would like to congratulate the Harmony Development for the approval of its new Sports Complex. On March 14th, the Osceola County Commissioners voted unanimously on the construction of eight ball fields, support facilities, a four-lane access road, parking and several other amenities associated with the project. The Sports Complex is scheduled to be completed by December 2013. Click HERE for the City of Harmony website.
On the same vote, the Osceola County Commissioners approved the construction of a 55,000 sq ft conference center with sports/field house capabilities, additional hotel rooms, and eight athletic fields at ChampionsGate. Construction should begin in May of 2012. Click HERE for more information about the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.
We are very excited for the construction of these facilities, as we continue to market Osceola County as the "Amateur Sports Capital." These editions will only build on the amazing facilities which we already utilize in Osceola County.
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