Premier expects 20,000 for cup

LAKEWOOD RANCH — After weeks of preparation, thousands of youth soccer players from across the state will show off their skills this weekend in the Nike Cup Labor Day Showcase.

The Nike Cup Labor Day Showcase will be held Sept. 3-5 at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch. About 20,000 athletes and fans, representing 305 teams, are expected to attend the three-day tournament, making this the biggest tournament to be held to date at the new sports complex.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for young boys and girls who love soccer to play in a great tournament on great fields in a wonderful location in which families can really enjoy the amenities of Lakewood Ranch — restaurants, hotels and beautiful scenery,” said Tim Mulqueen, director of sports for Lakewood Ranch. “It’s a chance for everyone to come together under the banner of soccer and enjoy themselves over the holiday weekend in a beautiful place. It just makes Lakewood Ranch a really special place.”

The Clearwater Chargers and the Fusion Futbol Club have teamed up to host the tournament, which will feature boys and girls U9-U10, U11-U12 and U13-U18 divisions.

The two clubs have held Labor Day tournaments in the past. Last year, the Clearwater Chargers hosted the Nike Cup at Sarasota Polo Club. Eventually, the clubs decided to combine their efforts with the Fusion Futbol Club once Premier became available.

“The Premier Sports Campus offers us so many opportunities,” said Rob O’Nan, president of the Clearwater and Lakewood Ranch Chargers. “With access to 30 fields for this event, we could not have done this anywhere else. The fields and the location are perfect.”

“I think this is a great partnership between the Clearwater Chargers and SMR,” Mulqueen said. “I think the vision of Rex (Jensen) and SMR, coupled with really unique and exciting events, is one that all kids who participate in youth sports in this area should take advantage of. This is truly a fantastic facility and opportunity for kids of all ages and their (families).”

Registration for the Nike Cup Labor Day Showcase will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 2, at the Holiday Inn in Lakewood Ranch, 6231 Lake Osprey Drive. Games will begin at 7:45 a.m. Sept. 3-5, and will continue until about 7 p.m. each night.

The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch has 22 fields; but with the tournament drawing so much interest, organizers have created 30 fields for this weekend’s tournament.

“For the campus alone, I think it now validates us as the premier soccer facility in the state of Florida,” Mulqueen said. “We have 30 fields all in one location, so the kids can play all of their games in one spot. It really elevates our Premier Sports Campus to, for me, the No. 1 facility in the state.”

Last year, 170 teams participated in the tournament, creating $2.5 million of economic impact; and with 305 teams scheduled to participate this weekend, organizers expect to exceed $5 million.

“It’s huge,” said Candice Mcelyea, director of marketing and public relations for Schroeder-Manatee Ranch. “This is our second tournament ever held at the campus. We are all so excited that the campus has really taken off the way that it has. We kind of expected it because we knew there was a need for it, but it’s exceeded all of our wildest expectations.”

The tournament is free and open to the public. Food and drink vendors will be on-site and there will also be shade and misting tents on-site.

Partial proceeds from team registrations for the Nike Cup Labor Day Showcase will go to The V Foundation. Donation centers and information also will be available on-site.

Following the tournament, Premier will begin its $1.1 million installation of lighting for eight of its fields.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].

Premier Sports Campus launches rec soccer program

The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch will launch a new recreational soccer program for children, ages 4-18, this fall. The 10-week soccer program will begin Sept. 19, for children, ages 6-18; and Oct. 1, for children, ages 4-5. The cost of the program is $80 for children, ages 4-5 and $135 for children, ages 6-18.

Those interested in participating can register online at www.clearwaterchargers.com under the Lakewood Ranch Chargers tab.