With a mission to provide a positive environment for the continuing development of players who demonstrate talent, commitment, good sportsmanship and the desire to excel in the sport of soccer, SC United FC fields teams that compete at all levels of soccer through professionalism in leadership and quality coaching. Additionally, the organization is the largest youth soccer club in the state.
The Annual St. Patrick's Day Cup will host more than 230 youth soccer teams from six different states at Ballentine Park Complex, BB&T Soccer Complex, Irmo High School Practice Fields, Spring Valley Presbyterian Church Fields, NorthWest YMCA and Polo Road Soccer Complex.
"This event is unique because it truly benefits the entire Columbia region," said Ron Tryon, CEO of South Carolina United FC. "The playing venues we use for this tournament are spread across the Southeast, Northeast and Northwest areas of Richland County, so most of our hotels and restaurants see a positive impact from the St. Patrick's Day Cup."
Once again, the Columbia Regional Sports Council is working closely with The Tournament Office and SC United FC to secure hotel rooms and promote the event. The tournament is projected to see audiences of 7,400 people using 800 room nights at contracted hotels throughout the Columbia region and is anticipated to garner 44,000 meals sold over the course of the weekend.
"Soccer has such a positive impact on the Columbia region not only by keeping both kids & adults moving and healthy, but also by hosting tournaments in our community that generate much needed revenue for our hotels, restaurants, attractions and retail establishments," said Scott Powers, executive director of Columbia Regional Sports Council. "We are very thankful to South Carolina United FC for hosting the Carolina Cup and the St. Patrick's Day Cup every year. These events generate over $1.3 million in direct economic impact in our community annually."
According to a recent economic impacted study conducted by Miley & Associates, the youth soccer tournaments, statewide and regional league matches and other soccer evented hosted in the Midlands, South Carolina United FC is responsible for a $7.6 million economic impact on the Columbia region each year.
Teams will check in Friday, March 13th from 6:30 - 9 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Harbison. For more information on the event and SC United FC, please visit http://www.southcarolinaunitedfc.com/.
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About South Carolina United FC:
South Carolina United FC is affiliated with the South Carolina Youth Soccer Association and offers soccer programs for boys and girls from 3 - 19 years of age. Through the efforts and contributions of our many parents and sponsors, it is our goal to provide the best soccer experience possible for everyone involved.
About Columbia Regional Sports Council:
The mission of the Columbia Regional Sports Council is to strengthen the area's economy by marketing and selling Columbia, SC as a premier destination for sporting events, partnering with local sports organizations to grow and develop existing events and by recruiting new events that provide an economic benefit to the region by generating room nights, food and beverage sales and associated tax revenues. For more information, visit www.columbiasportscouncil.com.