2011 and 2012 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships Awarded to Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association and City of Lancaster, Penn.

LANCASTER, Pa., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- US Youth Soccer today announced that Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association and the City of Lancaster have been awarded the 2011 and 2012 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships as part of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the country's most prestigious national youth soccer tournament.

The tournament will attract approximately 272 boys and girls' teams, ages 12-19, from 15 states throughout US Youth Soccer Region I, which is comprised of US Youth Soccer State Associations in the East (Connecticut, Delaware, Eastern New York, Eastern Pennsylvania, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York West, Pennsylvania West, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia).

"We are excited that the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships will be hosted in Lancaster in 2011 and 2012," said Bob McDade, president of the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association. "The US Youth Soccer Regional Championships are part of the most successful program for the highest level of youth soccer play in the United States. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and our hosts in Lancaster are committed to this major event, to the children and young adults we serve, and to the development of soccer in the commonwealth."

An estimated $12 million economic impact is expected for the area hosting the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships in 2011 and $15 million in 2012.

"It is always exciting to begin planning future US Youth Soccer Regional Championships, and part of that initial planning is choosing the best possible host city for each of the four events," said Larry Monaco, president of US Youth Soccer. "Lancaster will be a great host to the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships and we look forward to working with the great people of Lancaster, the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association to host this prestigious youth soccer tournament."

US Youth Soccer State Champions and selected wildcard teams through the US Youth Soccer Region I Premier League will earn their way to Lancaster to compete, drawing over 5,000 players and an estimated 10,000 spectators.

"The City of Lancaster is pleased to welcome the US Youth Soccer League to our community," said J. Richard Gray, mayor of the City of Lancaster. "Soccer is a growing sport in the United States, as we continue to emphasize the physical health of our children being a vital part of their overall development. We look forward to having the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships here and the fun that we will all have as both participants and spectators."

Opening ceremonies for both years' events will be hosted at Hersheypark Stadium. The 2011 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships are slated for June 30 through July 4, 2011.

"Lancaster is thrilled to be hosting the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships in 2011 and 2012," said Chris Barrett, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau. "The event is sure to be an exciting one for participants and spectators alike, and I know that our attractions, restaurants, lodging and shopping venues across the county will be working hard to ensure these guests a kickin' good time."

Regional champions of the Under-14 through Under-19 brackets earn a berth to the 2011 US Youth Soccer National Championships. Following individual State Championship tournaments, the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships are the second stage of the country's premier national youth soccer tournament - the US Youth Soccer National Championships.

The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the country's most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, providing teams from US Youth Soccer State Associations the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play.

Annually the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation's top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer):

US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!(R)" 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. [Media Request: When referring to the United States Youth Soccer Association, the largest youth sports organization in the United States, please refer to the association only as US Youth Soccer, and never as USYS or USYSA. We appreciate your cooperation.]

About Lancaster:

Lancaster County is a wonderful blend of urban style and rural splendor, and the PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau is dedicated to promoting its many rich cultures, from the Amish to the arts. Travelers can take in our vibrant downtown city life - with galleries, great dining, specialty shops, and live music - or explore surrounding towns and villages to get a sampling of the heritage, food, craftsmanship, and hands-on activities for which Lancaster is famous. Visit us at http://www.discoverlancasterpa.com.

About Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer:

The Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association has promoted, fostered and perpetuated the game of soccer to the youth of Pennsylvania from Fulton County to the West, to Tioga, Bradford, and Susquehanna counties to the North, the Harrisburg region in the center of the state, the Philadelphia region and beyond for over 35 years. Through competitions, educational programs, workshops and coaching clinics, EPYSA annually impacts the lives of over 130,000 youth soccer players from ages five to 19. Additional information about EPYSA is available at http://www.EPYSA.org.

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SOURCE Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association