|
The Schwan's USA CUP, presented by PUMA newsletter provides the latest information and updates about the tournament. |
| From the Director: Teri Vogt |
 25 years! 25 USA CUPs! 200,000 athletes have participated and more than 15,000 people have volunteered. This July USA CUP will celebrate the first 25 years and launch the event forward toward 25 more successful years. Here's how you can join in the celebration:
- You may still register a team (until June 21-so act quickly)
- Volunteer - and receive a commemorative 25th anniversary Puma jersey
- Join us July 21 as a spectator for the special edition Opening Ceremony - complete with a free concert in the NSC stadium (free and open to the public).
I continue to be thankful for being part of something this special. I want to express thanks to those teams who choose to attend. I am especially awed by groups from Asia, Africa, Europe, South and Central America who find a way to be here each year. I'd like to thank the volunteers - some of whom have been involved for all 25 years - for making this event run smoothly. Great thanks also to our sponsors for providing the resources to make the USA CUP environment such an inspiring soccer venue. Each year we watch the players fall in love with the game all over again.
Don't miss the 25th edition of USA CUP. |
| Featured Team: Backarnas FF |
Backarnas FF comes from Malmö, the third largest town in Sweden. The largest football club in town is Malmö FF and they were second in UEFA Champions League 1979 and on the women's side it is the LdB FC Malmö, they are currently in first place in Sweden's women's professional league. The most famous player from Malmö would be Zlatan Ibrahimovic who now plays with Inter Milan, his first international tournament was Schwan's USA CUP!
Backarnas FF was founded in 2005 and is a girl's only club. The club is small with only 100-120 members age 5-25. Currently there are six teams that play competitively. Their outdoor season runs from March to October and tey play tournaments all over the world in June and July. In the winter the team plays indoor football in team handball gyms with four field players and one goal keeper.
The women's team is very young, playing in division four with the average age on the team of 18 years old. The club also has a junior team, a U16 girls, a U14 girls and two U12 girls teams. A football school for young girls is also just starting.
The team coming to Schwan's USA CUP combines the women's team and the junior team to form a U19 girls side. The planning for the tournament started last year when they hosted the Mankato Storm during their stay last July in Malmö for Gothia Cup.
During their stay for the tournament, they'll homestay prior to the event with Mankato Storm. During the tournament they'll stay at the University of Minnesota dorms.
 |
| College Coaches Update |
Our college coach program provides an opportunity for athletes to not only play the game they love, but also to possibly take their game to the next level. This year, about 50 college coaches will attend the weekend tournament, and about 90 coaches will attend the weeklong. They are generally from the Midwest area, representing Division I, II, III, NAIA and NJCAA schools. We modify rosters for U16-U19 teams to make the process as helpful as we can. The rosters given to the coaches include graduation year, GPA, ACT and SAT scores and athletes' e-mail addresses. The NCAA has published rules for coaches scouting at events such as this, and we encourage coaches to visit www.ncaa.com for more information. We will post a "registered schools" link on our website once the coaches register. Athletes should review the schools coming and contact only coaches at the schools that interest them. When e-mailing a coach, include team ID, schedule of games (if available), jersey number and your position. Thursday of the weeklong tournament (July 16), USA CUP and SoccerAmerica will present a seminar titled "How To Get Recruited." Everyone is welcome, and there will be two sessions to ensure we have enough space. We usually have Division I, II and III coaches sitting on the panel for questions and answers. If you have any questions please contact Vicki at vbarnes@usacup.org. |
| Homestay Long Tradition at USA CUP |
Schwan's USA CUP has a long and successful tradition with the Homestay Program. This housing option is offered to international teams and allows them to stay with Minnesota families for the week long tournament. The host families provide lodging and meals, transport the international players to their games and tournament activities and give them a chance to get to know Minnesota. Homestay dates are July 10-26 this year, and there are many players to host. Countries coming this year are Mexico, Costa Rica, England and Ecuador. Germany is a self-homestay team. We only have boys teams in the program this year, with a special need to homestay the U15 age group. Homestay meetings are offered on June 30 and July 1. These meetings give valuable information to host families about the program and the players they will be hosting. If you are interested in hosting international players, please contact LuAnn at lwingard@usacup.org. |
| Media Team to Produce Video Series on 25th Anniversary |
The media team at the National Sports Center will produce a video history series of the Schwan's USA CUP to celebrate the tournament's 25th Anniversary. We plan to create several short segments covering themes such as the original idea behind the tournament, memorable moments and technology at the tournament. Segments will be 3 to 6 minutes long and will be available to view on our website, www.usacup.org. Eric Swanson, this year's video intern, is the lead producer. He envisions the project as a documentary capturing personal stories from many integral volunteers and staffers, and he hopes it will show "all the interesting things that people don't realize when they come here." In addition to interviews, we would like to include old photos, videos and newspaper coverage. If you have any of these items, send us a copy or contact Marie DeMars at mdemars@nscsports.org. There is no release date for the videos yet. Watch for more details in July. |
| Calling all Referees! |
| Schwan's USA CUP will enlist the services of over 500 referees from around the world again this year, including referees from Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Ireland, Jamaica, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Ireland and 15 states. Referees of all levels, including national and FIFA referees, will participate, covering nearly 6,000 referee assignments. Referees interested in officiating during Schwan's USA CUP should visit our website at www.usacup.org/referee. |
| Volunteers Wanted! |
 The celebration for our 25th Anniversary means we need more volunteers than ever, and there is bound to be an area that interests you! You could hand out awards, greet teams at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport or even serve as a translator. To sign up, complete the online application. Application deadline is July 1, 2009.
Remember: Volunteers working eight hours or more receive a unique Puma staff shirt that serves as a uniform and provides access to many tournament activities. Volunteers 19 years old and younger will also receive a participant wristband for access to Schwan's USA CUP activities. Sign-up with a friend; we can schedule you to work together!
Field Managers volunteers WANTED! This year we have a special gift if you sign up early for shifts (eight-hour shifts only). We have a limited supply, so hurry and sign up today! | |
|
|
|
|
