Wilmington, NC: On November 18 and 19, travel industry partners in Wilmington, North Carolina and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach will welcome the 2017 Beach Soccer Classic, a youth soccer championship sanctioned by the N.C. Youth Soccer Association (NCYSA). Hosted by the Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC, the Beach Soccer Classic is a popular fall tournament open to all U10-U19 Boys (up to U15) and Girls (up to U19) Club teams that participate in USYS and US Club play through the Southeast.

According to Dani Pittman, Wilmington Hammerheads Youth Tournament Director, this year’s Beach Soccer Classic will host 155 teams from North and South Carolina, as well as Virginia. Of the teams registered, 115 are from out of town. Each team consists of an average of 14 players.  More than 2,200 players (boys and girls ages 10-19) will be accompanied by three or four family members. Additionally, 150 coaches and 120 referees will accompany the teams. 

During the 2-day tournament, most participants and their families will stay at area hotels and shop, dine and play at New Hanover County businesses. Several lodging facilities in New Hanover County will house the participants.

“Based on participant numbers provided by event organizers, we estimate that the Beach Soccer Classic will generate more than $898,200 in direct visitor spending in New Hanover County. Using a conservative 2.5 multiplier, the total economic impact of this tournament will be approximately $2.25 million,” states Kim Hufham, President/CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority. “It is our hope that the players and their families will enjoy the tournament, as well as our beaches and events during their stay.”

“The staff of the Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC is excited about the 2017 Beach Soccer Classic,” said Dani Pittman, Wilmington Hammerheads Youth Tournament Director. “With almost a 20% increase in tournament registration, we’re looking forward to showing families a competitive, soccer-filled weekend, while offering them the best of Wilmington during its off-season. We’d like to thank New Hanover County Parks and Rec and the City of Wilmington for their continued support and use of their facilities. We would also like to thank the CVB, as well as the hotels in our area, for accommodating the parents and players who continue to come back each year, thanks to our beautiful area and supportive community.”

Sponsors include Traveling Teams, Jeff Gordon Chevrolet, Wilmington KOA, and N.C. Youth Soccer Association. The 2017 Beach Soccer Classic will take place at multiple soccer fields in New Hanover County, including: Cape Fear Regional Soccer Park, Eaton Fields, Ogden Park, Veteran’s Park fields and Hugh MacRae Athletic Complex. The Wilmington Hammerheads Youth FC also organizes the annual Seaside Soccer Classic, a spring tournament that brings approximately 320 teams with nearly 4,500 players, coaches and referees to the region in May. Youth sports events, such as the NCYSA-sanctioned soccer tournaments, provide a welcome boost to tourism in New Hanover County.

For tournament details, please call 910-392-0306 or email tournaments@wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com or visit the tournament website.

In May 2017, the Wilmington Hammerheads began a new chapter of the team’s 20+ year history when it became a member of the Premier Development League (PDL), a summer league that accommodates top college-aged talent during the summer months. All business and soccer operations are now run by the Wilmington Hammerheads Youth Soccer Club [WHYFC] and overseen by the WHYFC Board of Directors.

For a free Official Visitors Guide to Wilmington, North Carolina and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach, call 1-866-266-9690 or email visit@wilmingtonandbeaches.com. Click here for seasonal specials and events. The New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization of New Hanover County that stimulates economic development through the promotion of travel and tourism.    

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Contact:

Connie Nelson
Wilmington CVB
910-341-4030 x120
866-266-9690
cvbpr@wilmingtonandbeaches.com